Schwartzel wins Dunhill Championship

MPUMALANGA, South Africa, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Charl Schwartzel won the Dunhill Championship in South Africa Sunday with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff against Neil Cheetham.

The South African shot a 71 and Cheetham a 73 in the final round to tie at 7-under-par 281. Each had a putt of about 5 feet for a birdie in the playoff. Cheetham missed to the left and Schwartzel sank his for his first European Tour victory.

"It is a wonderful feeling to have won and especially to do it here in front of so many of my friends and family," Schwartzel said. "To get my first win in South Africa is just unbelievable."

Ernie Els, Warren Abery and Oliver Whitely tied for third.