Rowan Lester was just six shots off the lead going into the final round of the Sunshine Tour’s Sunbet Challenge at Umhlali Country Club in South Africa, but had to settle for a share of 49th after a closing four-over 75.
The Hermitage man knew that a fast start could put him in line for a maiden top-10 finish on the premier African circuit having begun the day just four back from a tie for eighth, but eight pars and a bogey on the par-4 third left those hopes in disarray on another day where the majority of the 52 players who made the cut all shot rounds in red figures.
Further bogeys on 10 and 12 meant minor placings was the best he could hope for, and though he birdied the par-5 13th, three more bogeys on 15, 16 and 17 saw him slip further down before a birdie-two at the last sprinkled a little dust on the result.
At the top of the leaderboard, the South Africans were jousting for top honours coming into the final round with the leading seven players all playing under the home flag. Ultimately, Louis Albertse and Pieter Moolman shot matching five-under 66s to get to -11 and they headed for a playoff with Tyran Snyders finishing solo third a shot behind.
Albertse prevailed in the playoff, capturing his second victory of the campaign and fourth Sunshine Tour win overall.
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