LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN won the Africa Open by two shots from fellow South African Tjaart van der Walt in east London yesterday afternoon.

The two players shared the overnight lead, but a six-under-par round of 67 gave defending champion Oosthuizen the title.

The former British Open champion birdied the par-three 17th, Van der Walt making bogey at the same hole, to settle the tussle.

Oosthuizen shot an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys yesterday to finish with a four-round total of 25 under par.

Van der Walt started the final day impressively, with birdies in his first three holes, but he picked up only two more birdies and a bogey to go round in 69.

Retief Goosen finished in third place, three shots off the lead on 24 under, after he also finished with a 69. Goosen carded a birdie and an eagle in his opening three holes, but his challenge faded and he picked up just two more birdies and a bogey.

A fourth South African, Jaco van Zyl, finished fourth on 23 under, while Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth was fifth one shot further back after a closing round of 67.

Oosthuizen admitted he knew his final-round battle with Van der Walt would not be an easy one.

“It was a real dogfight for most of the day,” Oosthuizen said. “I remember watching Tjaart when I was an amateur, and it was just great seeing him play to his potential today.

“He played really well. He’s one of those who won’t go away. He’s not going to mess it up – he’s too consistent for that.”

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: Steve Stricker took centre stage at the PGA Tour's season-opening Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, eagling the par-five 15th on his way to a commanding five-shot lead in Saturday's second round.

The American world number six, the highest-ranked player in the elite winners-only field of 27, fired a flawless 10-under-par 63 to take control at the picturesque Kapalua Resort.

Stricker, back to full health after being hampered by lingering neck and shoulder pain late last year, delivered a brilliant display in blustery conditions to post a 15-under total of 131. “This game is never easy but I had it going today,” a smiling Stricker said greenside after covering the back nine in six-under 31. “It’s always fun when you get rounds like this going.”

Webb Simpson birdied three of the last four holes for a 68 to lie second at 10 under, a stroke in front of fellow American Kevin Na who spectacularly finished eagle-eagle for a 64.

First-round leader Jonathan Byrd, one ahead overnight after opening with a 67, failed to replicate the same form on Saturday while carding a 71 to share fourth place with Britain’s Martin Laird (70).

Saturday was largely all about Stricker, long renowned as one of the best putters on the PGA Tour.