Hennie Otto held his composure to claim his maiden South African Open title with a final-round 72 at Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate on Sunday.
His four-round total of 14 under par was one ahead of Austrian Bernd Wiesberger in the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event.
The often fiery Otto said earlier in the week he had a new outlook on life, and went into the final round with a three-stroke lead over a host of big names.
The chasing pack included two-time champion Retief Goosen, Swede Magnus Carlsson, Thomas Aiken and Garth Mulroy.
On an up-and-down back nine including three bogies and two birdies, Otto held on to par the last, walking away with the title after making a birdie on the 17th.
Earlier, in testing, windy conditions, Otto began his round with a par on the first hole before driving the 349m second.
He two-putted for birdie to move to 15 under, but he missed a short birdie putt on the par-five third and went on to to bogey the next.
Otto then holed a lengthy birdie putt on the par-three fifth and parred his way through the ninth hole.
Otto was 80th in the Race to Dubai and should move inside the top 60 with his earnings, as well as earning an invite to the season ending Dubai World Championships. – Sapa