JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 14: Chris Paisley of England poses with the trophy and caddie and wife Keri after his victory during day four of the BMW South African Open Championship at Glendower Golf Club on January 14, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

PAISLEY BAGS FIRST EUROPEAN TOUR TITLE AT SA OPEN

England’s Chris Paisley won his first European Tour title with an impressive three-stroke victory at the BMW SA Open.

The 31 year old from Hexham carded a faultless six-under-par 66 at Glendower Golf Club to extend his overnight one-shot lead and pull away from nearest challenger Branden Grace.

Paisley, playing alongside Grace, was made to work for the victory by the eight-time European Tour winner, with 23-year-old South African JC Ritchie in third place.

“I just can’t believe it,” said Paisley. “I just played great. I didn’t think I was capable of playing that well.
Paisely was also full of praise for his wife, Keri, who caddied for him for the week while his usual caddie was on holiday. “I can’t say enough about how good a job she did. It is her first time as a caddie, and although she doesn’t know too much about golf, she didn’t put a foot wrong. I can’t thank her enough.”

Home favourite Branden Grace was beaten into second place by Chris Paisley
Home favourite Branden Grace was beaten into second place by Chris Paisley

Paisley birdied two of his opening four holes, but his strong beginning only saw him head to the fifth tee level with Grace at 17 under. A double-bogey five at the par-three sixth by Grace handed Paisley the initiative and he made the most of it with a birdie at the seventh to hold a commanding three-shot advantage.

With the chasing group unable to put any pressure on the leader, the focus was fully on the final group. Despite Grace picking up four shots during a four-hole spell on the back nine, including an eagle at the par-five 13th, his bid for the title was all but over when the 29 year old bogeyed the 12th, and Paisley maintained his composure to make gains at 13 and 15.

Ritchie enjoyed an eventful final round 65, which included two eagles and six birdies, to climb to third position, two shots clear of South African duo Jacques Kruyswijk and Jacques Blaauw, with Zimbabwean Scott Vincent also finishing on 14 under par.