MALELAN, South Africa — Okie Strydom won his first DP World Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa on Sunday.
Steridom made four birdies in the first five holes after the turn to take the outright lead and finish 3-over 69 for 18 overall at Leopard Creek Country Club.
“It’s good, it’s my favorite place,” Strydom said. “I’m just happy.”
The 37-year-old South African beat Spain’s Adrian Otagui (-16), who finished with a 68. England’s Laurie Kanter (-15) is in third place.
Former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (68) finished seventh in 13 events.
Strydom had a share of the overnight lead but had a roller coaster four holes from No. 6 to No. 9; There he went, birdie, bogey, birdie, double-bogey.
That double bogey on No. 9, after finding water on his second shot, threatened to throw him off the challenge. But he recovered well, racking up back-to-back birdies on Nos. 10 and 11.
He also picked up shots on Nos. 13 and 14 and made pars all the way home.
Strydom’s breakthrough victory came after he tied the course record with a 63 in the third round at Leopard Creek. Scotland’s Scott Jamison set this record a day ago.
At last weekend’s South African Open at Blair Atoll Golf and Equestrian Estate Strydome in Johannesburg, he finished tied for 15th with a course record 63.
