Immelman survives late bogeys, takes Nedbank

Trevor Immelman shot an even-par 72 and won the Nedbank Challenge by 1 stroke Sunday despite 3 straight bogeys over the closing holes and a late challenge from Justin Rose.

Immelman, who won the $1.2 million first prize, finished at 16-under 272. Rose shot 73 after a double-bogey on the 18th at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa.

Ernie Els (72) was third at 11 under in the tournament he won three times. His round included 5 birdies, 3 bogeys and a double bogey on the 17th.

The tournament came down to the last hole after Immelman's late stumble, starting with the 16th. The South African had a 2-stroke lead going into the par-3 hole, but he hit his tee shot over the green, left his chip short and 2-putted.

Rose chipped his wayward tee shot close and got an easy par. He hit a poor drive on the 17th, but Immelman overshot the green and ended up with yet another bogey while Rose scrambled a par to tie it.

On the 18th, Rose pulled his tee shot while Immelman set himself up perfectly in the middle of the fairway. Immelman's approach went long, and he needed two tough chips to get out of the rough around the green before he putted for the title. But Rose had already lost it, shooting a double-bogey 6 to leave himself 1 shot back.

New Zealand Open: England's Richard Finch won the New Zealand Open for his first pro victory, while 71-year-old Bob Charles shared the spotlight by shooting his age or better for the third straight day at Queenstown, New Zealand. The 30-year-old Finch shot an even-par 72 for a 3-stroke victory over Australians Steven Bowditch (72) and Paul Sheehan (69) in the event sanctioned by the European and Australasian tours. Finch had a 14-under 274 total on The Hills course. Charles, the oldest man to make the cut on a major non-seniors tour, added a 70 to rounds of 75, 68 and 71 to tie for 23rd at 4 under.