Five back-nine birdies helped Lee Westwood erase a three-shot deficit to start the day and chase down Sergio Garcia to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Sunday in Sun City, South Africa.
Westwood shot an eight-under 64 at Gary Player Country Club to finish 15 under and beat Garcia (70) by three. Garcia opened Sunday leading Louis Oosthuizen by two and Westwood by three. Oosthuizen (69) finished alone in third at 11 under.
The 45-year-old Westwood kick-started his round with an eagle on the par-5 2nd hole. He closed with four birdies in his last six holes. His girlfriend and caddie, Helen Storey, jumped into his arms when he finished on the 72nd green.
It’s Westwood’s first European Tour victory since the 2014 Maybank Malaysian Open. His last victory was the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters in 2015, an Asian Tour event.
“You are never sure whether you are going to be able to do it again,” Westwood said post-round, fighting tears.
The European Tour season concludes next week with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Final round 64. Clubhouse leader by two.
Westwood is so close to European Tour win number 24… pic.twitter.com/jb6EXg5xE1
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 11, 2018
