DURBAN, South Africa, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Dawie van der Walt turned in a 4-under-par 66 Saturday and won the European Tour's Nelson Mandela Championship by two strokes in South Africa.
It was the second European Tour title for van der Walt but he said winning this week was especially important for a South African golfer coming so near to the death of South African statesman Nelson Mandela, for whom the event is named.
"It's obviously really special, making you a part of history," van der Walt said.
"Winning the Nelson Mandela at this time, when it's sad for everyone, everyone is mourning and tomorrow's the big day, it means a lot and it's something I can keep close to my heart forever."
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The tournament started a day early -- Wednesday -- out of respect for to Sunday's services for Mandela, who died Dec. 5 at age 95. Soggy weather conditions limited play Wednesday and Thursday, however, and led organizers to cut the event to 54 holes.
Van der Walt had a second-round 62 that left him three strokes behind second-round leader Daniel Brooks. He was even after 11 holes -- with three birdies and three bogeys -- but rolled in a 30-foot eagle putt at the 558-yard, par-5 12th to take the lead. Birdies at 13 and 15 gave him the cushion to finish off the win.
He wound up at 15-under 195. Matthew Baldwin and Jorge Campillo, who each shot 68 Saturday, tied for second at 13-under. Romain Wattel, with a third-round 67, took fourth at 12-under and Oliver Bekker finished fifth at 11-under after a 69 Saturday.
Brooks staggered through a 6-over 76 Saturday. He was 6-over through seven holes and dropped into a tie for 11th.
