Sterne wins Joburg Open in playoff

(CNN) — Richard Sterne came through a three-man playoff with Garth Mulroy and Magnus Carlsson to win the Joburg Open at the second extra hole.

The South African, who trailed overnight leader Mark Murless by four shots at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, carded an impressive six-under-par 65 to finish level with Mulroy and Carlsson on 13-under.

All three players birdied the first play-off hole but world number 44 Sterne then repeated the feat on the par-four 17th while compatriot Mulroy and Swede Carlsson could only manage pars.

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke also finished strongly with a three-under-par 68 — 11-under for the championship — securing fourth place.

Sterne’s victory was his third European Tour title following wins at the Madrid Open in 2004 and last year’s Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

It was actually quite enjoyable to be honest, said Sterne. After the start I was quite far back and I knew I needed to get to 13 or 14-under.

Sterne was the highest-ranked player in the 204-strong field but he admitted he needed to play well to recover and win the top prize.

It was a tough day, he said. Any time you’re favorite to win or anything like that, I think it’s a little bit more pressure. I didn’t get off to a good start at all. I think I was three-over at some stage, but I came back strong and that’s what it’s about.

Fellow-South African Murless led through the opening three rounds but faded badly as his two-over-par final round of 73 saw him slip back to finish fifth with an overall aggregate of 275. E-mail to a friend

Sterne wins Joburg Open in playoff – found here.