Double-bogey ruins Rose's chance

Tour NewsA double-bogey at the final hole cost England's Justin Rose a €1 million victory at the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City, South Africa.

The European number one and home favourite Trevor Immelman, who had both started the day on 16 under, were level on 17 under on the 18th tee but Rose pulled his drive into trees, had to lay up short of the water but then flew the green and duffed a chip back to card a six.

Immelman had problems of his own and could make only bogey - his third in succession - but still won on 16 under with a level-par final round of 72.

The South African, a late invitation to the 12-man event, had appeared to have blown his chances after squandering the two-shot lead he held after 15 holes.

On the short 16th both pulled their tee shots but Immelman chipped and two-putted while Rose splashed out of a bunker to the edge of the green and holed from 12 feet.

At the next Rose salvaged another par after almost driving into the water while Immelman bogeyed from just off the back.

"This event is what we in South Africa have always regarded as Africa's major," said Immelman.

"Ever since I was a kid I've watched it on television. I dreamed of playing it one day, and then I dreamed of winning it.

"Today that dream has come true and it is a very special moment for me."

Three-time champion Ernie Els shot a disappointing 72 to finish third on 11 under while England's Luke Donald's 73 was only good enough for a share of sixth on five under.

NEW ZEALAND OPEN:Englishman Richard Finch claimed his first European Tour title with victory at the New Zealand Open.

Finch, from Hull, who was ahead by three shots going into the final round at The Hills Golf Club in Queenstown, held the same advantage at the end having led by six at one stage.

Birdies at the first, third and eighth opened up that gap but three bogeys on the back nine gave his pursuers hope.

However, a 12-foot par putt on the 18th for a level-par round of 72 proved enough.

His course record 65 in the second round on Friday put him in contention and Finch, who only secured his European Tour card in the final event of the 2007 season in Mallorca a few weeks ago, now has his maiden tour title to celebrate.

Finch finished on 14 under par, with Australians Steven Bowditch and Paul Sheehan tied for second on 11 under.

Damien McGrane finished on two-under-par 286 after a final round of one-over-par 73 in halves of 36 and 37.

JAPAN TOUR:Australian Brendan Jones produced the finest performance of his career to win the Japan Tour's season-ending event yesterday.

Jones, who started the final round five strokes off the lead, carded 10 birdies in a magnificent nine-under-par 61 on the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club course.

He stormed home with six back-nine birdies to finish at 11-under 269 and claim a dramatic one-stroke victory at the Nippon Series JT Cup after Jones had an anxious wait after finishing as India's Jeev Milka Singh and China's Wen-Chong Liang both dropped shots at the final hole.

With a play-off looming, Jones went to the range to warm up, but he need not have worried as both Singh and Liang made a mess of the par-three 18th, running up matching double bogeys after poor tee shots.

CHALLENGE TOUR:Miguel Rodriguez held off the challenge of fellow Argentine Andres Romero to claim the Abierto del Literal Personal yesterday.

Rodriguez closed with a 69 for a nine-under-par total of 271 to win by a shot.

Justin Kehoe produced his best round of the tournament - a one-under-par 69 - to finish on seven-over-par 287.

US TOUR SCHOOL:Former European Open champion Kenneth Ferrie was left to reflect on one bad hole after charging into position to win a US Tour card in Florida.

Ferrie played the first 14 holes of his fifth round in five under par but then double-bogeyed the par-three next and had to be content with a 69 and 11 under aggregate.

The two dropped shots left him just outside the top 25 who will earn cards after today's final round.

American Frank Lickliter at 28 under par 332 leads by six from Chris Stroud. Ireland's Keith Nolan is on six-over-par 366 after a fifth round of 73.