JOHANNESBURG, Feb 9 — George Coetzee of South Africa won the US$1.77million (RM5.9million) Joburg Open at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club today. Coetzee closed with a 66 for a 19-under total that brought him his first tournament win on the European Tour. Three shots back and in a share for second place were Justin Walters of South Africa (73) Tyrrell Hatton of England (66) and South Korean Jeong Jin (71).

“I’ve been waiting on this for a while, Trying to play it down (not winning),” he said.

“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.”

The win also qualifies Coetzee for the British Open at Hoylake in July. — AFP