DURBAN — South African Louis Oosthuizen stormed back in the final round of the Volvo Golf Champions at Durban Country Club Sunday to shoot a six-under-par 66 and win the title by one stroke. Oosthuizen entered the final round five shots adrift of leader Scott Jamieson from Scotland, who finished second after a final-hole chip to force a play-off came agonizingly close to dropping. Former paratrooper Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand ended third a further shot behind, Irishman Padraig Harrington was fourth and Julien Quesne of France and Englishman Danny Willett shared fifth spot. “What a great week for me and I played really well today,” said Oosthuizen after receiving the trophy. “Yesterday was tough as I finished two over, but today was fantastic. My third round troubles stemmed from a problem with my swing which I could not fix on the course. I concentrated today on a shorter, tighter swing and it paid off. “I had a couple of scares during the closing holes — misreading my par putt at 16 and geting the line completely wrong at 18 to prevent me getting a birdie that would have shut out my rivals.” Oosthuizen posted rounds of 68, 64, 74 and 66 for a 16-under-par total of 272 and succeeded compatriot Branden Grace as winner of the opening European Tour event this year. It was the sixth success on the European circuit for the 2010 British Open champion and victory in perfect summer conditions lifted him two places to fourth on the world rankings. Oosthuizen posted rounds of 68, 64, 74 and 66 for a 16-under-par total of 272 and succeeded compatriot Branden Grace as winner of the opening European Tour event this year. Langley joins Henley at the top Rookies ruled for a third consecutive day in record style at the Sony Open in Hawaii as good friends Russell Henley and Scott Langley ended Saturday's third round in a tie for the lead. Overnight pacesetter Henley fired a three-under-par 67 at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu while fellow American Langley carded a 65, the pair posting a tournament low of 17-under 193 after 54 holes. The two 23-year-olds, each making their first starts as PGA Tour members, will take a three-shot lead over South African Tim Clark (66) into Sunday's final round. Australian Scott Gardiner (65) and American Charles Howell III (67), who has twice been a runner-up at Waialae, were a further stroke back at 13 under in a tie for fourth place. “Whatever happens tomorrow, I'm going to learn from it,” Henley told reporters after playing in the company of Langley for a third day in a row. Henley and Langley, who shared low amateur honors when they tied for 16th at the 2010 US Open, eclipsed the previous 54-hole record set by John Huston with 194 at the 1998 Sony Open. Victory for either player would emulate the achievement of fellow American Garrett Willis, who was the most recent rookie to win on his debut as a PGA Tour member — at the 2001 Tucson Open.— Agencies
