Kingston triumphs in SA
Kingston was one of just six players who finished below par
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Sunday, 16, Dec 2007 08:57
Home favourite James Kingston beat off the challenge of England's Oliver Wilson to win the South African Airways Open by one stroke.
Kingston clinched his maiden European title after carding a final round of 71 to finish on four under par.
Wilson, who had started the day one shot ahead of Kingston, went round in 73.
Play had been suspended for nearly four hours because of heavy rain overnight and the tournament finished in near-darkness.
Wilson had a nightmare on the front nine with bogeys on the first, sixth and ninth holes.
The Englishman birdied the tenth and 11th holes but missed birdie chances in the closing stages.
Kingston also had a disastrous time on the front nine after double-bogeying the par-three fourth after finding the water along with bogeying the par-four ninth.
The South African finished with seven birdies, including on the 13th, 14th and 16th holes, to seal victory.
Only six players finished under par due to the blustery conditions at the Paarl course.
Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke carded a final round of 71 to finish in a four-way tie for third place on one-under.
Two-time Open champion Greg Norman, who blasted the organisers after the second round for changing the course, went round in 71 to finish in joint seventh.