Kingston wins South African Airways Open
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2007 South African Airways Open | Round Four | 17 Dec 2007
42-year-old South African James Kingston has won his first event on the European Tour and his own national title. After a day where play was delayed by up to four hours, Kingston emerged the winner of the South African Airways Open with a rock solid back nine of one under to hold off the third round leader Oliver Wilson.
Wilson struggled through his opening nine holes before bouncing back with consecutive birdies at the 10th and 11th to again challenge for the lead.
Kingston was able to hold on over the closing stages producing seven consecutive pars to hold out Wilson, who was also looking to win his first European Tour event after being twice runner up in 2007 and once in 2006. The 27-year-old successful Walker Cup player has been beaten in playoffs on two occasions and clearly his time will come.
For Kingston this is the icing on the cake in his professional career. As Craig Parry had been several hours earlier in Australia, he was emotional after securing the title that so many players want to win irrespective of their nationality.
“I couldn’t have chosen a better tournament to win in the world than this one. This is the South African Open, my National Open.”
“I have waited 20 years for this and that is a long time. I am so happy to have won such a prestigious title and join such an elite club.”
Kingston has won a number of events previously on the Asian and Sunshine Tours but this is significant in his career as it offers him the best part of three years exemption on the European Tour.
Darren Clarke, currently ranked 258th in the world, produced his best performance since his third placing at the Irish Open in May of 2006 when he produced a round of 68 to move from 16th to third. It was an encouraging sign for the man from Northern Ireland.
Another outstanding effort was from 52-year-old Greg Norman, who finished in a share of 7th after recovering from an opening round of 75.
The Pearly Valley Golf Club outside of Capetown was buffeted by strong winds, especially early in the event, the winning score of just four under reflecting the demanding conditions.
The event brings to a close the European Tour for 2007 with the next event – the JoBurg Open – scheduled for January 10th.
