JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Charl Schwartzel shot 4-under-par 67 Sunday in successfully defending his title at the European Tour's Joburg Open in Johannesburg.
Schwartzel had six birdies and two bogeys in his final round for a score that was topped by just one other golfer Sunday in finishing at 19-under 265. Gareth Mulroy, who shot even-par 71 Sunday, finished second and Thomas Aiken (72) was third. Schwartzel, Mulroy and Aiken -- all South Africans -- started Sunday's play tied for the lead.
It was the sixth European Tour win for Schwartzel but first since he claimed the 2010 Joburg Open. He finished the tournament at 23-under and won by six strokes last year.
Aiken had one birdie and two bogeys in his round Sunday while Mulroy had one birdie and one bogey as neither was able to mount a challenge to Schwartzel.
Schwartzel grabbed sole possession of the lead with an opening hole birdie Sunday. He added another at the third hole before a bogey at No. 4. He stretched his advantage with birdies at Nos. 6 and 8 but had a bogey at the ninth hole. Birdies at 13 and 18 pushed the margin of victory to four strokes.
