South Africa's Richard Sterne won the South African Open at Pearl Valley Golf Estates in fine style beating Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin at the first play-off hole. This win coming only seven days after he picked up the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek makes in the Sterne's third win in South Africa this year.

Sterne began the day at eight under par and posted a final round of 66 to finish on a total of fourteen under par. Maybin needed a birdie at the last to finish on fifteen under par to take the title in regulation play but his 10 footer lipped out and he finished on the same score as Sterne who birdied seventeen and eighteen and then made birdie on the first play-off hole to take the title.

"This tournament is so prestigious and the names on the trophy are just unbelievable," said Sterne. "To be on there has always been a dream and a goal to be honest. I may need to set a few new goals after this one, I don't think I can top next year's Order of Merit with the same things I've done this year."

"I made a good save on the first hole from around 15 feet for par and I think that's what kept me in the tournament. That was just a massive putt right there. I was quite surprised to see that no one was running away with it.

"Obviously Ernie made a big move, but going into my back nine I just said that if could just get to 14 or 15 under, you never know what can happen coming down the stretch," added Sterne, who in the process secured a fifth European Tour title, moved to 3rd in the European Tour Race to Dubai, won the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and climbed to 43rd in the World Rankings thereby giving him a coveted spot at the Masters Tournament in April 2009.

It was seven out of ten for ISM players at Pearl Valley Golf Estates as Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood finished in a tie for third with Richard Finch, Branden Grace and Chris Wood  all in a tie for sixth spot