A trio of South Africans excelled at the BMW Championship at Wentworth Club in Surrey, England on Sunday, led by Branden Grace, who finished in a share of fifth on 13-under-par for the week.
Grace closed with a four-under 68 to finish four shots behind Italian winner Francesco Molinari.
Former world number one Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was second on 15-under courtesy of a final-round 70.
For his efforts, Grace picked up a cheque for R3.3 million.
Grace’s final round started badly as he found himself one-over after three, but he managed to turn in even par.
😃🏆 @F_Molinari #BMWPGA #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/VMl3Bc1udz
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 27, 2018
The top-ranked SA player on the globe at number 33 in the world, though, was flawless on the back nine, with four birdies and no blemishes on his card to vault up the leaderboard.
Darren Fichardt, 43, finished one shot behind Grace, on a four-round total of 12-under, helped by a fine fourth-round five-under 67.
The world number 156 Fichardt would be pleased to earn himself R2.6m for his seventh-place finish.
Congratulations @F_Molinari!
Your 2018 #BMWPGA Champion. #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/7GYeKpYf03
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 27, 2018
Dean Burmester, meanwhile, ended on nine-under for the week in a tie for 12th. Burmester, like Fichardt, managed a five-under 67 to complete his weekend’s work. The big-hitting Burmester also improved his bank balance with earnings of R1.4m for the week.