Scot Hill wins Joburg Open in playoff
Calum Hill wiped out an eight-shot deficit going into the final round by shooting a 62, then won a three-way play-off to become the first Scottish champion in the Joburg Open on Sunday.
The 30-year-old parred the 18th at the Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg with a four for his second European triumph after the 2021 Cazoo Classic.
Ranked 286th in the world, Hill chipped his third shot from just off the green at the par four so close to the hole that he was left with a tap-in putt.
He beat two South Africans in a tense finish. Jacques Kruyswijk three-putted for a bogey and fellow South African Shaun Norris double bogeyed after his second shot landed in water.
The play-off went to a second extra hole after the trio carded par fours at the first attempt to end the deadlock.
Hill equalled the course record with his 62, but it will not go into the record books as there were placings on the fairways.
The Scot from east coast town Kirkcaldy not only beat two locals, he also succeeded just as thunder and lightning were threatening to halt play at the suburban course.
"This is awesome. My victory has taken me a little by surprise," he said after hugging wife Viranda, his caddie and fellow Scot Connor Syme, who shared ninth.
"Shooting a 62 to come back into contention was fantastic and winning the play-off the cherry on top. This is the first time I have been involved in a play-off.
"I did have a little luck," added the champion, referring to an approach to the 18th hole in regular play, which bounced favourably from the rough to set up a birdie.
Kruyswijk, seeking a second European title in 15 days after winning the Kenya Open, birdied the 17th to reach the play-off.
Norris, who took a four-stroke lead into the final round as he chased a third European circuit victory, holed a long birdie putt on the final hole.
Hill (62), Kruyswijk (66) and Norris (70) finished 14 under on 266. South African Dylan Frittelli (63) was one shot behind after leading at one stage of the final round.
The champion made the perfect start to the last round with a birdie three at the first. He added four more by the ninth and five on the inward nine. Hill also bogeyed two holes.
