Date: December 09, 2013
Author: Peter Thompson, Omnisport

Bjorn wins Nedbank Golf Challenge

Thomas Bjorn won the Nedbank Golf Challenge by two shots after an impressive seven-under final round of 65 at Sun City on Sunday.

Jamie Donaldson took a three-shot lead into the final round, but the evergreen Bjorn produced some scintillating golf to reach 20 under and claim his 15th European Tour title.

The 42-year-old Dane – joint-second heading into Sunday – picked up three shots on the front nine and then turned on the style with eagles at the 10th and 14th holes and a birdie at 15.

Bjorn was unable to complete a blemish-free round as he bogeyed the last, yet that failed to take the gloss of his victory.

He told the European Tour's official website: "This is right up there with the best days of my career,

"You never forget your first victory, and then my win against Tiger in Dubai when I went toe-to-toe with him for four days and came out on top was special, but winning here in the way that I did against a field of this quality is up there."

Donaldson could only manage a two-under 70 and finished tied for second with Sergio Garcia.

The Spaniard matched Bjorn's 65 to roar into contention, but was left to rue a second round of 73 that left him with too much to do.

Garcia birdied six of the first nine holes in his final round and gained further ground at the 14th and 15th, only for a bogey at 16 to halt his momentum.

Bjorn added: "I knew I had to shoot something low and then see what Jamie was doing. It turned out that it was Sergio and every time I saw a leaderboard he was making birdies. I am very proud of the way I played today – it's a very special day in my career."

Race to Dubai winner Henrik Stenson maintained his fine form in finishing fourth – four shots adrift of Bjorn – courtesy of a closing 67.

Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge took fifth place after finishing with a 66, which Charl Schwartzel matched to be the highest-placed South African in sixth.

Ryan Moore had begun the last day level with Bjorn, but the American tumbled down the leaderboard due to a one-over 73 and finished in a tie for seventh with Justin Rose.

Australian Peter Senior ended the tournament with an 81 to finish in 30th place at 16 over.