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Deon Germishuys with the Fitch and Leedes PGA Championship Trophy: Image Credit - Sunshine Tour Images

A CLOSING three-under-par 69 was enough for Deon Germishuys to secure a one-shot victory over Samuel Simpson and Hennie du Plessis at the Fitch and Leedes PGA Championship, held at St Francis Links in South Africa.

Germishuys finished on 14-under-par 274 to claim his third title on the Sunshine Tour.

The South African professional, who opened with a two-under-par 70 and followed it up with a brilliant seven-under-par 65 in the second round before carding another 70 on moving day, went into the final round tied for second place with Joe Long, two shots behind leader Luke Jerling. His closing 69 featured five birdies and two bogeys. He dropped a shot on the second hole before making gains on the fourth and sixth for an outward 35. After the turn, Germishuys picked up another birdie on the 10th, followed it with a bogey on the 11th and another birdie on the 12th. He then made a crucial final birdie on the 16th to see off the challenge from Simpson and Du Plessis, who both finished on 13-under-par 275. Simpson carded rounds of 64, 72, 70, and 69, while Du Plessis returned scores of 66, 72, 68, and 69. Stuart Krog finished fourth on 12-under-par 276.

Germishuys gained 380.40 Order of Merit points and now sits 12th in the standings with a total of 662.34 points.