Immelman takes title as Rose wilts

SUN CITY, South Africa -- Trevor Immelman won his "home major" by one stroke from Justin Rose after a nerve-wracking final round of the Sun City Challenge on the Gary Player Country Club course on Sunday.

The South African bogeyed his last three holes, while Englishman Rose -- with whom he had shared the lead for the previous two rounds -- self-destructed with a double-bogey six at the 18th.

Immelman carded a par 72 to finish on 16-under 272 while European Order of Merit champion Rose closed with 73.

Ernie Els, seeking a record fourth title in the tournament on home soil, was third on 277 ending with a 72, while Sweden's Henrik Stenson claimed fourth on 279 after also matching par.

Immelman also started the day nervously with a bogey and found himself two behind Rose before chipping in birdies at 10 and 14 to go two clear.

The 27-year-old then dropped shots at 16 and 17, but saw Rose manage even worse at the 72nd hole when he hooked his tee-shot into deep rough, layed up short of the water hazard, sent his third through the green into the grandstand and had to take a drop.

Immelman's second shot went just over the back of the green and he fluffed his first chip before sending the second two feet past the hole and clinching victory with the putt to take home the $1.2 million first prize.

"I've always been very determined to be a world class golfer and winning the World Cup for South Africa was one highlight, and outplaying Tiger Woods to win the Western Open on the PGA Tour last year was another," Immelman said.

"But this event is what we in South Africa have always regarded as Africa's Major. Ever since I was a kid I've watched it on television. I dreamed of playing it one day, and then I dreamed of winning it. Today that dream has come true and it is a very special moment for me."

South Africa's Rory Sabbatini was fifth on 282 after a 71, but his compatriot Retief Goosen continued his poor run as he finished last in the 12-man event on 10-over 298 following a 78.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy shot 71 to tie for sixth with England's Luke Donald, who carded 73.

Ogilvy's compatriot Adam Scott was a shot further back after a 76, with Sweden's Niclas Fasth on 288, South African Charl Schwartzel at 290 and American Stewart Cink 11th on 291. E-mail to a friend

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