Stone strolls to victory as Schwartzel fades
MALELANE, South Africa: Brandon Stone cruised to a sevenshot victory Sunday in the Alfred Dunhill Championship as fellow South African and defending champion Charl Schwartzel faded dramatically on the back nine.
Leading by three strokes going into the final round at Leopard Creek Country Club in northeastern South Africa, Stone carded a final-round 67, five under par.
He finished on 266 after earlier rounds of 67, 66 and 66 over the 6,663- metre ( 7,287-yard) course carved out of bush and bordering the Kruger Park game reserve.
Pre- tournament favourite Schwartzel, seeking a f ifth Dunhill title, trailed Stone by only two shots halfway through a final round staged in scorching 37- degree celsius ( 99 fahrenheit) heat..
But a bogey six at 13 - - his favourite golf hole -- triggered a collapse and the former US Masters champion carded a twoover 74 for a share of fourth, nine strokes behind Stone.
South African Richard Sterne came second on 273 after finishing with a 67 and Belgian Thomas Detry fired a 68 to come third two strokes further back.
Thomas Aiken ( 69) of South Africa, Benjamin Hebert (72) of France, Scott Jamieson ( 69) of Scotland, Carlos Pigem ( 69) of Spain and Graeme Storm ( 68) of England shared fourth place with Schwartzel.
It was the second European Tour triumph for Stone, a 23year- old born in north-western mining town Rustenburg, after winning the South African Open last January.
“I felt relaxed and calm throughout the final round and knew Charl was having problems ahead of me on the back nine,” he told reporters after receiving a huge trophy.
“My front nine was solid, bar one slip, and my second nine much better. I won convincingly in the end, but it was not that easy.
“I have been working hard on my driving and putting and some tips I took on board paid off this week.”
Success for Stone was a welcome relief after poor recent European Tour form as he finished outside the top 50 in his previous five appearances.
Fears that he would buckle under final-round pressure from 11- time European Tour winner Schwartzel never materialised. But the destiny of first prize hung in the balance halfway through the closing round as Stone had a one- under outward nine of 34 while Schwartzel reached the turn in 33 shots.
The par- f ive 13th proved decisive as Schwartzel saw his second shot land in a bunker and he three putted for a six. — AFP