First Tour victory for Sharma

Shubhankar Sharma held his nerve to sign for a closing 69 and win a first European Tour title at the weather-delayed Joburg Open.

Heavy storms on Sunday forced the event at Randpark Golf Club into a fifth day, with Sharma holding a four-shot lead with his ball on the eighth green when the hooter sounded.

The Indian returned early yesterday morning to make his par and he birdied the next before finishing with nine pars to close at 23 under, three shots clear of South African Erik van Rooyen.

A place at next year’s Open Championship was up for grabs for the top three players in the field not already exempt and South Africa’s Shaun Norris grabbed his spot at Carnoustie due to his higher world ranking after finishing alongside Finn Tapio Pulkkanen at 17 under.

Sharma has five wins on the Professional Golf Tour of India but this is the 21-year-old’s first victory on a major circuit after eight top-10s on the Asian Tour.

“It feels absolutely wonderful to have won this week,” he said at the trophy presentation.

“This is my first time in South Africa and I don’t think I’m ever going forget my first time in South Africa.”

England’s Marcus Armitage was the leading British performer at 15 under, two shots clear of compatriot James Morrison and three ahead of another Englishman in Charlie Ford.