Joburg Open

Coetzee rallies to win first European Tour title

ESPN staff

February 9, 2014

George Coetzee came from four shots back to win on home soil © Getty Images

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George Coetzee secured his maiden European Tour title after claiming a three-shot victory with a final-round six-under 66 at the Joburg Open.

South Africa's Coetzee had racked up 24 top-10 finishes on the European Tour without a win to his name, but finally broke his duck on Sunday after coming back from four shots to emerge triumphant. He made six birdies in a flawless round to finish 19 under.

The victory saw Coetzee claim a spot at the Open Championship, with the top three players without exemptions at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington securing an invite.

Justin Walters and Korea's Jin Jeong will join Coetzee at Hoylake. Jeong shared second place with Tyrrell Hatton, who missed out on Open qualification because of his inferior world ranking.

"I've been waiting a while and have actually been trying to play it down this week [winning]," Coetzee said afterwards. "I'm very happy.

"I get to share this with my family and friends and my caddy. It was my mum's birthday yesterday and I wanted to win it for her because I forgot to get her a present."

Joburg Open leaderboard: