England's John Bickerton recorded a shock win in the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa after a final hole horror show by home favourite Ernie Els.
Bickerton was the fortunate beneficiary of Els' capitulation on
the final hole at the Leopard Creek Country Club.
The big South African totally lost the plot on the par-five
18th, shooting a triple-bogey eight and twice finding the water as
he handed Bickerton the title.
The Englishman, who had trailed Els by four shots heading into the final round, began the day with an eagle on the par-five second hole, before adding four more birdies and two bogeys to card a final round 68 for a 13-under 275 winning aggregate.
Having just finished his round two shots behind Els, who had the final hole to play, Bickerton watched as the world number five twice missed the green, much to the astonishment of the home crowd.
Instead of laying up, Els went straight for the flag only to see his shot go right and find the water. His second was much better but bounced before finding the water and he eventually left himself six feet from the hole.
Needing to make the putt to force a play-off, Els missed and handed 37-year-old Bickerton the title.
Bickerton's compatriot Lee Slattery shared second with Els after closing with a 71.
Darren Clarke lost ground on the final with a closing 75 to finish on one-under and tied 33rd. Dubliner Stephen Browne closed with 73 for a three-over aggregate and tied 52nd.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)