Johannesburg: Shubhankar Sharma holds nerve to claim maiden tour win at Joburg Open

Johannesburg: India`s Shubhankar Sharma claimed a maiden European Tour title at the rain-hit Joburg Open on Monday when he returned to the course to card a final round 69 to secure a three-shot victory at the Randpark Golf Club.

The 21-year-old Sharma led for the final two rounds after a scintillating 61 on Friday and had 11 holes to complete after lightning, rain and hail forced the event into an extra day.

His tournament total of 23 under-par was three ahead of South African Erik van Rooyen (66), whose outright second place provided him with a best ever European Tour finish.

"It feels wonderful to have won, I actually wasn`t going to come to South Africa about a week ago, but in the end decided to travel and I`m really happy I did that," Sharma said at the trophy presentation.

"I hit the ball good and putted well, but the key for me were the up and downs I made through the week. Once in a while you have to make some par saves to get a round going and I did that."

South African Shaun Norris (65) finished tied for third with Finland`s Tapio Pulkkanen (68) at 17 under-par, a result that allows the former to join Sharma and Van Rooyen in the field at next year`s Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links.