• Africa Open, Round Four

Oosthuizen makes successful title defence on home soil

Louis Oosthuizen scooped his fourth European Tour title © Getty Images

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Louis Oosthuizen held off the challenge of compatriots Tjaart Van der Walt and Retief Goosen to defend his Africa Open title by two shots and claim a fourth European Tour triumph.

Oosthuizen began the day in a tie for the lead with fellow South African Van der Walt, but a closing six-under 67 was enough for the reigning champion to finish on 27-under-par and retain his crown.

With his rivals struggling for birdies, the former Open champion played with little risk as a bogey-free back nine ensured he got over the line. The closely-fought contest between Oosthuizen and playing partner Van der Walt was still alive as they headed to the 17th tee, though the latter had too much ground to make up when he made bogey and his opponent birdied the penultimate hole.

Van der Walt made a fast start on the fourth day, returning three successive birdies from his opening three holes. However, he could not maintain his bright beginning, falling away slightly to sign for a 69 to finish a shot clear of the third-placed Goosen.

"It was a real dogfight for most of the day," said Oosthuizen. "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."

Goosen, without a European tour title for five years, finished three shots off the pace - having threatened to do some serious damage in the early stages of his final round. A birdie and an eagle in his opening three holes gave him real hope of ending his drought but his challenge faded thereafter, with a bogey at the 11th all but ending his glory bid.

He did pick up another two shots but it was too little too late - the two-time US Open champion going on to end his tournament with a four-under 69.

Scotland's Alastair Forsyth was fifth - on 22-under-par - after an eye-catching 67 pushed him up the leaderboard, but England's Danny Willett could only muster a 73 to finish seventh on 19-under.

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