AFTER claiming a runaway victory in the Nedbank Golf Challenge 2015, Marc Leishman, has became only the second Australian to win the much coveted trophy.
The Nedbank Golf Challenge was held from December 3 to 6 at Sun City. This also marks the last of the current format that this showcase of top golfers will play in. Next year the tournament will form part and parcel of the European Tour to receive European Tour status. The tournament will move from its traditional date in December to ending over the weekend of Sunday, November 13.
Leishman claimed the 35th Nedbank Golf Challenge trophy with a comfortable six-stroke victory at the Gary Player Country Club. He closed down with a 67 to win on 19 under par, following 2009 champion Robert Allenby as the second Australian winner of “Africa’s Major”.
Henrik Stenson came in second, after leading on the third day, with 13 under par following a final round of 72.
Branden Grace finished as the leading South African in a share of fourth place on eight under par.
“I’m going to be happy to have this year over with. Audrey was so sick, and then I lost an uncle who I was very close to. So this tops off a tough year for me,” Leishman said.
“Henrik is an awesome player and at times it felt a bit like match play out there between us. I also knew that trouble was waiting on every hole on this golf course so I was focused on every shot.”
But three birdies in four holes over the turn gave him the edge over the field, and he surged further ahead with three birdies in four holes from the 13th to enjoy a five-stroke lead playing the 18th. Stenson bogeyed the final hole to give Leishman the eventual six-stroke win.
After winning the winners’ cheque of $1 250 000, Leishman already had a pretty good idea how he will be spending the prize money. “We’ve just moved into a new home and this will definitely help pay for that.”
