Richie Ramsay plays his second shot into the 18th hole en route to winning the South African Open.
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EmailPAARL, South Africa – Richie Ramsay birdied the first hole of a playoff to defeat Shiv Kapur and win the South African Open on Sunday.
Ramsay shot a 7-under 65 to finish at 13-under 275 at Jack Nicklaus-designed Pearl Valley and move past overnight leader Pablo Martin. Kapur shot a final-round 67 in the event sanctioned by the European and Sunshine tours.
Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner Anders Hansen was a stroke back in third after a 69. Martin had a 73 and finished three strokes back in a tie for sixth.
Ramsay had a putt on No. 18 to win the championship, but it went just left, forcing the playoff.
Kapur had to lay up in the playoff, also on No. 18, while Ramsay reached the green in two. His 15-foot eagle putt came up just short and he tapped in for the win.
“I had no thought of laying up, because I was so sure of myself over the shot,” Ramsay said.
The Scot took control at the 17th went he sent his approach over a water hazard and landed it on the green to leave a 15-foot putt.
“I hit an 8-iron in, and I couldn’t believe it cleared the water,” he said. “My heart was in my mouth.”
Martin, who won last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, bogeyed the third and never recovered, managing only one birdie.
