Coetzee wins EPGA event in Pretoria

Jacques Blaauw has shot a stunning nine-under 61 to close out the Tshwane Open, but it wasn't enough to reel in winner George Coetzee.

George Coetzee has won the Tshwane Open by one shot from fellow South African Jacques Blaauw, who closed with a nine-under 61 at Pretoria Country Club.

Playing on his home course, 28-year-old Coetzee carded a 65 on Sunday to collect a second European Tour title after winning the Joburg Open last season.

The successor to Englishman Ross Fisher as Tshwane Open champion had earlier rounds of 67, 66 and 68 for a 14-under 266 total.

Blaauw finished second on 267 after rounds of 72, 65, 69 and 61 and South Africans Dean Burmester (67) and Tiaan van der Walt (67) shared third with Scot Craig Lee (70).

Coetzee edged ahead of Blaauw, who finished more than an hour earlier, with a birdie at 17 despite a wayward tee shot that landed in rough just short of the green.

A superb chip set up a birdie chance and Coetzee holed the putt to move one ahead with one hole to go.

On the green in two at the bunker-littered par-four final hole, Coetzee curled his first putt close to the pin and dropped the next to pip Blaauw.

Coetzee birdied three front-nine holes and two on the inward trek in hot, partly cloudy conditions at the 6,458-metre (7,063-yard) layout.

Blaauw failed by one shot to match the European Tour record single-round score of 60, which is shared by 17 golfers with Europe 2016 Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland achieving the feat twice.

The South African birdied nine holes and did not drop a shot, then spent time relaxing, on the driving range and practising his putting while Coetzee played.


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Source: AAP


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