Sun City: Immelman wins Nedbank Challenge by one shot  SUN CITY, South Africa (AP) -- Trevor Immelman won the Nedbank Golf Challenge by one stroke on Sunday despite bogeys on the last three holes and a strong challenge from Justin Rose.  Trevor Immelman returned to his native South Africa and won $1.2 million. (Delay/AP)
Immelman, who won the $1.2 million first prize, shot par-72 for an overall 16-under 272. Rose shot 73 after a disastrous double bogey on the 18th at the Gary Player Country Club. Ernie Els was third with an overall 11 under in the tournament he has won three times. He shot a fourth-round 72. The tournament came down to the last hole after Immelman's late stumble, starting with the 16th. The South African had a two-stroke lead going into the par-3 hole, but he hit his tee shot through the green, left his chip short, and two-putted to let Rose back into the tournament. Rose, who chipped his wayward tee shot close and got an easy par, looked to have spoiled his chances with a drive on the 17th which left him no option but to lay up and play three to the green. Immelman overshot the green, and ended up with yet another bogey while Rose scrambled a par to level. However, Rose pulled his tee shot on the 18th to leave him with no chance of going for the green, while Immelman set himself up perfectly in the middle of the fairway. But Immelman's approach went long, and he needed two nervy chips to get out of the rough around the green before he was able to putt for the title. But Rose had already lost it, shooting a double-bogey 6 to leave himself one shot adrift. "It's an event every South African golfer dreams of winning," Immelman said. "After the majors, it's the best tournament in the world for us." Immelman said the pressure had got to him. "When I duffed that chip on the 18th, I felt like throwing myself into the lake back there," he joked. Els' play was too erratic on the final day and his final round included five birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey on the 17th. It was a tougher final day after cool weather and rain had made scoring easier on the first three days. Only three players managed to return under-par scores Sunday: Australian Geoff Ogilvy, Rory Sabbatini of South Africa and American Stewart Cink each recorded 71. Retief Goosen had his poorest run at the event with his final-round 78 to leave him at 10 over, 26 shots off the pace. Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
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