First 2012 title for Kaymer in Sun City

Germany's Martin Kaymer won his first title this year after a final round three-under-par 69 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Sunday, beating South African Charl Schwartzel by two strokes.

The 27-year-old sunk four birdies at the 7,162-metre Gary Player Country Club and came out ahead of Schwartzel despite a double-bogey on the third immediately after his eagle on the par-five second.

“The eagle at the second hole was a bonus -- two great shots and a nice putt. The third obviously wasn't so good as I hit a bad tee shot and got into trouble,” said the relieved former world number one.

“But for me the biggest luck today was definitely on 14 with my tee shot, and then making a birdie.

I could very easily have made a six or a seven, so that was very lucky that I found that ball in the perfect position and could chip it down the fairway and make four from there,” he said.

At one point he was tied with South Africans Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen as well as Bill Haas from the United States at five-under, but his consistent play at the rainy northwestern Sun City resort saw him through.

The German's first victory this year crowns a difficult return after a bad season. World number one early in 2011, Kaymer's performance slumped toward the end of the year.

AFP