England's Andy Sullivan has won the South African Open, beating home favourite Charl Schwartzel in a play-off after the third-round suffered a dramatic final-round collapse.
Schwartzel took a five-shot lead into the final round at Glendower Golf Club in his native Johannesburg and, despite an error-strewn display, still led by four with five holes to play.
However, the former Masters champion then failed to get up and down from a plugged lie in a greenside bunker on the 14th and three-putted the 16th to run up a double-bogey six, before a dreadful tee shot on the 17th led to another bogey and left him tied with Sullivan on 11 under par.
The players returned to the 18th for a sudden-death play-off and, after both had missed the fairway, Sullivan produced a stunning recovery from the trees and holed from 10 feet for a winning birdie.
Sullivan, who held a one-shot lead at the halfway stage but bogeyed the first four holes on his way to a third-round 74, started the day seven shots off the lead but carded four birdies, an eagle and one bogey in a closing 67.
The 27-year-old perhaps thought his chance had gone when he left a long birdie putt on the 18th a few inches short, but Schwartzel's shaky finish led to a 74 and ensured extra holes were required.
England's Lee Slattery carded a closing 69 to finish third, just one shot outside the play-off, with Spain's Pablo Martin another shot back in fourth after also recording a 69.
Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin shot a final-round 75 to fall back down the leaderboard, ending up tied for 38th on three over par.
"It's unbelievable," Sullivan said during the trophy presentation. "After Saturday I didn't think I stood much of a chance with Charl getting ahead that far.
"I just dug in there yesterday and today and found myself in a position where I had a chance to win. My caddie said over the last few holes 'no regrets' and I've definitely got no regrets over the last few holes, especially that play-off hole.
"Charl has won major championships, my caddie said expect him to hole (his third shot) and he nearly did. I was delighted just to hit the green and have a chance to win and I'm just glad I took it.
"I didn't want to give him a second chance to take the title away from me, so I am absolutely delighted.”
