SUN CITY, South Africa — SUN CITY, South Africa (AP) — Max Homa can finally say he is an international winner.
Homa shot a 6-under 66 to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa on Sunday for his first overseas victory.
Homa finished at 19 under for the tournament, four shots ahead of Nicolai Hojgaard to add to his six career PGA Tour titles.
Homa secured victory with a final round that included six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys. He pulled away at the top after back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, where he holed a 38-footer on the par-3.
“It’s kind of what you dream about, you want to be in the fight and it was just fun to close it out at the end,” he said. “It was one of those weeks where the ball wanted to go in when it needed to go in.”
Hojgaard – who played Homa at the Ryder Cup – made four birdies during a bogey-free final round 68. Fellow Dane Thorbjorn Olesen finished third after a 3-under 69 that included two bogeys and a double bogey during his last seven holes.
Homa hadn’t played since the Ryder Cup in Italy that ended Oct. 1 and where he had 3 1/2 points to lead the United States in their loss to Europe. His last Strokeplay event was the Fortinet Championship in mid-September.
“It was just great to be able to travel to a new place and meet such amazing people,” Homa said. “The fans have been amazing, everyone has been so welcoming and kind. I was really grateful to have the opportunity to be here, but winning a trophy is just the icing on the cake.
Homa played all four rounds in the 60s this week, including a 66 in the first round at Gary Player Country Club.
Considered by some to be “Africa’s major tournament”, the Nedbank Golf Challenge was the penultimate event of the season in Europe before next week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Justin Thomas, who like Homa was playing invitational, finished at 12 under for the tournament in fourth place after a 6-under 66 on Sunday. He also had a 66 on Friday, but shot a par 72 on Thursday and Saturday to see his title chances diminished.
Thomas said he was “proud” of the way he performed in his rare DP World Tour appearance.
“It was a beautiful day,” Thomas said. “I wish Max hadn’t run away so much (and) I was a little luckier. I felt like I did really well this week with the way my game went and it was nice. I feel like I played some really quality golf today.
Two-time defending champion Thomas Fleetwood finished at 7 under, tied for 12th after an even par 72 on Sunday.
Frenchman Matthieu Pavon, who won the Spanish Open in October for his first victory on the European tour, entered the final round one shot behind Homa but collapsed on Sunday, shooting a 6-over 78 in a final round which included six bogeys and a double bogey.
Dan Bradbury of England was fifth at 11 under.
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