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Casey Jarvis with the VoG Final at Pezula Golf Estate Trophy: Image Credit - Sunshine Tour Images

CASEY Jarvis held his nerve to secure a play-off victory over Barend Botha at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final at the Pezula Golf Estate in Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa, on Sunday.

Jarvis and Botha had finished tied on 24-under-par 264 to force a play-off on the 18th hole. He then won it on the third attempt at sudden death after both golfers made birdies on the first two occasions. On the third attempt, Jarvis made an eagle while Botha made another birdie, securing the top honours.

It was his second victory in three tournaments, having also won the Hyundai Open at Ebotse Links on November 9, which at the time was his maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour. Going into the final round one shot off the lead, held by Christiaan Burke and Albert Venter, Jarvis signed for a near-flawless seven-under-par 65. He dropped just a single shot on the 16th hole, having picked up birdies on the second and fourth for an outward 34. On the back nine, he added further birdies on the 11th, 13th, 14th, and 18th holes, and made an eagle on the 17th for an inward 31. Botha closed with an eight-under-par 64, having started the final round two shots off the lead. His closing 64 featured two eagles, six birdies, and two bogeys. He made a bogey on the first hole, followed by birdies on the fourth and seventh, and an eagle on the ninth for an outward 33. On the back nine, he carded a birdie on the 11th, a bogey on the 12th, and further birdies on the 13th and 14th holes. He then finished strongly with an eagle on the 17th and a birdie on the 18th.

Burke and Venter finished tied for third on 23-under-par 265 after closing with identical rounds of 67. The next event on the Sunshine Tour calendar is the Fitch and Leedes PGA Championship at St. Francis Links starting on Thursday.