Oliver Bekker closed with a three-under-par 69 on Sunday to be the leading South African finisher in the DP World Tour’s Porsche Singapore Classic at Laguna National Golf Resort Club in Singapore.
But for a horror run of four consecutive bogeys around the turn, Bekker was on his was to a possible top-10 finish after he made two early birdies on the third and fourth holes. But drops on 10, 11, 12 and 13 rocked him back on his heels.
It speaks to his character and ability that he came back wit three consecutive birdies on 14, 15 and 16 and then rounded things off with a flourish and an eagle on the 18th. At nine-under-par for the week, he finished in a share of 21st.
Up front, Jesper Svensson won his first DP World Tour title with a play-off victory over Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand. The Swede matched the course record with a closing 63 to get to 17-under but extra holes were required as Aphibarnrat eagled the last in a 64.
Both men made a birdie on the first trip up the last and then exchanged a pair of pars before Aphibarnrat went over the back and made a bogey, leaving Svensson two putts for a par and victory.
Sam Bairstow was third on 16-under, his English countryman Andy Sullivan fourth on 15-under and Matthieu Pavon of France fifth on 14-under.
Rhys Enoch of Wales – by way of Potchefstroom where he lives – was in a share of seventh after a closing 67 took him to 12-under-par for the week.
Casey Jarvis closed with a level-par 72 for a share of 35th on seven-under, while defending champion Ockie Strydom had a final round of one-over 73 to finish on five-under in a share of 43rd. Zander Lombard was on four-under in a share of 49th after a 71, Jayden Schaper had a six-under 66 to climb to one-under and 64th, and Thriston Lawrence had a 74 to finish level-par in a share of 65th.
