Justin Rose’s career reached full bloom today as the young Englishman held off numerous worthy challengers to claim his first European Tour victory and the £79,000 sterling winner’s cheque in the Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg.
The 21-year-old’s final round 65, for a 20-under par 268 total, was good enough to win by two shots from the chasing trio of fellow countryman Mark Foster (69), South Africa’s Retief Goosen (65) and Martin Maritz (71).
"I'm delighted with the way I played," said Rose who considers South Africa his second home after he was born there.
"It's definitely a second home for me; I love coming back. One of my goals was to win before the Benson and Hedges in May. To do it so early is great."
Paul McGinley, who was playing alongside Rose, came within three shots after today’s 68 left him in a tie for fifth with England's Anthony Wall (65) and Wales' Mark Mouland (67) on 17-under 271. The Dubliner holed a birdie putt of at least 40 feet on the final green to round off a fulfilling return to the Tour after a six-week break.
Rose, who was runner-up to Adam Scott 12 months ago, remained calm throughout as any one of seven players could have won during the closing stages. He made the perfect start with a birdie at the first. He then became a serious challenger with four more birdies by the time he reached the turn.
However, it was his three birdies in the last four holes which made Rose stand out from the rest at the Houghton Golf Club. The best of which was his five-iron into two feet on the 225-yard 15th to set his sixth of eight birdies.
At the start of the day, the danger appeared to come from the home favourite Ernie Els. That was, until an error of judgement on the 14th tee cost the world number five a double-bogey. Els chose to hit the driver and found water on a hole when most players elected to play an iron off the tee.
Clearly deflated, Els followed with a bogey at the next and his challenge was all but gone. He signed off with a 70 to finish five adrift on 15-under 273.
Maritz made a late bid for the honours after dropping four shots without a single birdie in 13 holes. The South African then turned things around with an eagle two at the 410-yard 14th before adding another at par five 16th. A birdie at the 17th was enough to secure a tie for second.
Alan McLean’s 64 was the low round of the day. The Scot strung six birdies in a row together from the second before adding two more at the 16th and 18th for a top 10 finish on 14-under.
David Higgins failed to find any form over the weekend. The Waterville professional followed yesterday’s 74 with a one-over 73 today to finish level on 288 overall.