Jan. 23, 2005
DURBAN, South Africa -- Tim Clark of South Africa delivered on his promise of the third day as he cruised to an effortless six-shot victory at the South African Open on Sunday.
Clark said before the final round that he would play aggressively on the 6,736-yard (6,157-meter) par-72 Durban Country Club in the U.S.$922,625 tournament to break up a foursome who shared the lead after the third round.
He obliged by shooting six birdies in his final-round 66 to card a 15-under-par 273, well clear of Gregory Havret of France and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa.
Havret shot a 69 and Schwartzel a 68 as the pair shared second place on 279, 9-under par.
"I stuck to my game plan throughout the round," said Clark. "The only time I played it safe was at the 18th when I hit a 3-iron off the tee."
Two birdies on the opening nine saw Clark clear of the opposition, but still he pressed. "I still felt I needed to shoot a few more under. At no stage did I want to let up and make any mistakes," he said.
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| Clark won the 2005 South African Open. (Getty Images) |
Dougherty shot eight birdies, but spoiled his round with bogeys on the ninth and 16th.
Clarke came within a single shot of a 66 too, but a bogey on the 480-yard par-4 11th -- the longest par 4 on the course -- meant he was unable to challenge for a share of second.
South Africa's Titch Moore, who lead from round one through three, fell away with a final round 74 as his difficulties in finding the fairways off the tees continued. He paid the price, with bogeys on Nos. 5 and 16, and a double bogey on No. 11.
Clark and Clarke made substantial donations in support of relief efforts after the tsunami in south-east Asia.
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