Keith Horne will return from China some R399,101 richer after a final round 67 helped him into a share of 25th place at the Volvo China Open.
Horne was the only South African to the make the cut this week.
The 46-year-old moved up 13 places on Sunday after a steady front nine was followed up by a superb inward nine to wrap up a good week’s work.
Horne was -1 through 5 but bogeyed the par-three 6th for the second day in a row before he made it four birdies in four days the par-five 8th to turn in -1 for the day.
The experienced campaigner birdied the 10th, 12th and 14th to progress nicely up the leaderboard before another four in four days at the final hole helped seal a payday just a few rands short of R400,000.
Alexander Bjork carded a 65 to win his first European Tour title after a final day of twists and turns at the Volvo China Open.
The Swede entered the day a shot off the lead but was part of a six-way tie at one point on the front nine as the round ebbed and flowed in dramatic fashion at Topwin Golf & Country Club.
Jordan Smith signed for a brilliant 64 to set the clubhouse target at 16 under but Bjork joined him with a birdie on the 12th and he held the lead on his own after another on the 15th.
Spaniards Jorge Campillo and Adrian Otaegui joined him in top spot but another gain on the 17th edged Bjork ahead and he was left with an anxious wait at 18 under.
A three-putt on the 17th from Otaegui left him and playing partner Matt Wallace both needing eagles up the last to force a playoff, with Otaegui making a birdie to take second place on his own.
Bjork’s win comes in his 44th European Tour event and follows ties for second at the UBS Hong Kong Open and third at last week’s Trophée Hassan II this season. He also becomes the first Swede to win the Volvo China Open and extends his country’s run of seasons with a European Tour win to 30.
