Max Homa shone on the final day of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, with the American picking up his first International title in commanding fashion at the Gary Player Country Club.
Leading going in to the final day, there were a number of players in contention. However, out the blocks, it was Homa who started the best, with his lead doubling to two strokes over Thorbjorn Olesen.
Making four birdies and a bogey in his first six holes, a run of pars for Homa did see the lead drop to one, but he then produced the shot of the week at the par 5 ninth, with a fairway wood from 240-yards, from the rough may we add, finding the green and finishing 20-foot away. What's more, the eagle putt that followed meant he would lead going into the back nine.
Ahead, Olesen wasn't giving up and, when he made four birdies on the bounce from the seventh to the tenth, it was still anyone's over the remaining holes. However, that was until the Dane made back-to-back bogeys and, when he doubled the 17th, it was all but game over for the 33-year-old, who in the end finished outright third.
That left it up to Homa and Nicolai Hojgaard to battle it out for victory and, unlike the Ryder Cup two months ago, it was the American who came out on top, with Homa landing decisive blows at the 15th and 16th to move four ahead of Hojgaard, who was chasing needed ranking points.
In the end, after safely navigating the 17th and finding the green at the 18th, it was Homa who duly two-putted for a second win of 2023 and, rather amazingly, the Nedbank Golf Challenge was the first tournament he had played in for five weeks.
Nedbank Golf Challenge Leaderboard
- -19 Homa (F)
- -15 Hojgaard (F)
- -14 Olesen (F)
Nedbank Golf Challenge Quick Links
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PLAY UNDERWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA
We are counting down until Max Homa, who is the world No.8, tees off shortly. He is the man to catch on -13 after only dropping one shot in 54 holes. He has a one shot lead as he bids to become the first American champion since Jim Furyk won here at Sun City in 2006. “Every day we walk up the ninth and they have the plaques of everyone who’s won here, and the names are impressive,” said Homa after his third-round 69 for the lead on 13 under par.
PAUL HOLES OUT FROM THE SAND
Yannick Paul from Germany has been open at his disappointment of missing out on Europe's Ryder Cup side after a stellar season. But consistent Paul looks to be getting back in his stride in South Africa and has just holed out from the sand at the par 5 second for a birdie to get to -6 after back to back 69s
JT LOOKING TO CATCH UP WITH COMPATRIOT HOMA
Justin Thomas has been on his travels recently playing outside of USA after missing out on the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour. He has opened his final round in Sun City with successive birdies to climb up the leaderboard to seventh on -8 and the Major champion cannot be discounted.
HOMA MAKES COMPOSED START
No sign of nerves from leader Homa as the American make a composed start by finding the green in regulation from the fairway. Homa grew up in California playing on kikuyu grass which is the type here and he really looks at home so far despite minimal preparation. He taps in for an opening par after leaving his birdie attempt short.
ENGLISHMAN BRADBURY ON FORM AGAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA
Dan Bradbury,24, secured a fairytale maiden DP World Tour title at the Joburg Open at the start of the 2023 season, winning on just his third start after turning professional. Now the Wakefield pro is back on the leaderboard in South Africa again after rounds of 66,69 and 71. He has started the final day promisingly with a birdie at the par five second to get to -11
HOMA FINDS PAR 5 SECOND IN TWO
Leader Homa is once again looking good on the par five second where he has fired a long iron from 241 yards into the middle of the green. He now has a long eagle putt as the pin positions today are noticeably tight to the edges it seems
RELAXED BRADBURY IN THE MOOD AGAIN
Bradbury, who grew up idolising Rory McIlroy, has just given a mid course interview to Iona Stephen and seems very relaxed about his stunning rise. He told her: "I'm feeling good. I don't really know what is happening, I'm just playing golf and am very lucky I get to do what I do for a living."
HOMA OPENS UP A TWO SHOT LEAD DESPITE ADMITTING BEING "HOMESICK"
Homa has just tapped in for a routine birdie on the second after hitting the par five in two. The American is looking very calm and now has a two shot lead. He has also just given a mid-course interview on the third. Homa said: "I've done a good job for the three rounds so it is the same strategy." But Homa also admitted to feeling a little "homesick" and to looking forward to getting back to USA later."The time in South Africa has been tremendous but I get to go home to see my family later as I've got a little homesick." He said the support of his pal Ben on his bag has helped.
BIRDIES ROLL IN FOR FLEETWOOD AND THOMAS
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and American Justin Thomas are both on nine-under after Thomas made his third birdie of the day at the fifth and Fleetwood holed a monster 55-foot putt on the par three fourth.
LEADERS MAKING BIRDIES IN FAST START
Homa has moved to -15 with his second successive birdie at the third after firing in a close approach. He is looking to stretch his lead at the top where Frenchman Matthieu Pavon has stumbled badly with bogeys on the second and third but Thorbjørn Olesen is not messing around with three birdies already to add to the heat in a sun-baked South Africa.
DEFENDING CHAMP FLEETWOOD PUTTING UP A FIGHT AS MOVES TO -9
Stop it @TommyFleetwood1 🤩#NGC2023 pic.twitter.com/nz1XOqhojdNovember 12, 2023
HOMA MAKES A RARE BOGEY ON THE FOURTH
Homa had been looking so good leading from the front but has dropped an unlikely shot, just his second in four rounds, on the par three fourth despite hitting the green. His three putt has let in Olesen who is just a shot back.
HOMA BOUNCES BACK WITH A BIRDIE
After a disappointing dropped shot at the par three fourth with a three-putt, Homa has shown the mark of a potential champion by bouncing back at the par four next by draining a ten foot birdie putt to get back to -15 and restore his two-shot advantage.
HOMA DRAINS A BEAUTY ON SIXTH TO EXTEND LEAD
Our leader Homa continues to look imperious once again after his unlikely three-putt bogey on the fourth. He has just found the par four sixth in regulation and then drained his fourth birdie in six holes with a superb 23-foot putt to open up a three shot lead. There looks likely to be a new name on the trophy as defending champion Fleetwood's charge has faltered with a bogey on the 7th
FLEETWOOD'S HAT-TRICK HOPES LOOK OVER
Popular Englishman Tommy Fleetwood came into this week's event gunning for a hat-trick of wins at the plush Gary Player Country Club in Sun City but his hopes this week look over now after his hot start of two-under in the first four holes ground to a halt and he is now one under after eight holes leaving him eight shots back
COULD JT CATCH PAL HOMA?
Homa is still looking imperious at the top of the leaderboard where he is -16 after seven holes but I wonder if he has caught sight of USA compatriot and pal Justin Thomas in his rear view yet? Homa's American Ryder Cup team-mate is -4 today after nine holes to move to tied fifth, six shots back of Homa.
POTENTIAL TWO-MAN BATTLE DEVELOPING
This course and these pin positions today are sure to throw up plenty of drama but on this evidence it could be a straight two-man battle at the top between Max Homa and Thorbjørn Olesen. Homa has reeled off four birdies in seven holes to get to -16 but Olesen, playing in the group ahead, is -4 for his final round to sit just one shot back. There is then currently a three shot gap to Dan Bradbury and Nicolai Hojgaard at -12.
How to play the 5th hole with @Maxhoma 👏#NGC2023 pic.twitter.com/rluzL5dG08November 12, 2023
TIGHT AT THE TURN IN SOUTH AFRICA
There is plenty of big game in evidence in South Africa in Sun City and also on the course where Max Homa, the highest-ranked player, is looking in fine form. Behind him , Thorbjørn Olesen is pushing hard. Dane Olesen opted not to take on the par 5 ninth with his second as he laid up but he made a birdie nonetheless to stand at -5 at the turn and -16 in total.
HEAVYWEIGHT SLUG-FEST AT THE TOP
Wow, what drama at the ninth at the top of the leaderboard. Olesen walked to the 10th after making a superb birdie on the par 5 ninth despite laying up with his second. That put the Dane level at the top with Homa on -16 with the American, watching in the group behind, waiting to play from the left hand rough. Homa then took on the green on with a 245-yard shot over water to 18 feet with a stunning driving iron. Commentator Tony Johnstone described it as one of the best shots he has seen. And it got even better for Homa who then calmly rolled in an eagle to restore his two-shot lead.
Thorbjorn Olesen Back Within One
The scoring here in South Africa has been excellent this Sunday and, at the par 5 10th, Olesen gets back within one of Homa, with the Dane tapping in his short birdie putt. Not only is he outright second, thanks to four straight birdies, but also projected fifth in the Race to Dubai standings.
MATT WALLACE OCCUPIES FINAL SPOT
Not only is the Nedbank Golf Challenge title up for grabs, but there is also the matter of who will be featuring at next week's DP World Tour Championship finale in Dubai. The top 50 in the Race to Dubai standings qualify and, as of writing, it's Matt Wallace who is in the 50th spot!
He is having an excellent day out there (-5) and, at the 18th, he sticks his approach to the heart of the green and will have around 11-feet for birdie. Ideally, he would like to hole it to have some buffer, but his putt just misses and he will have to wait around to see if he has made it into next week.
DOUBLE FOR BRADBURY
That's expensive! Dan Bradbury had been building momentum with four birdies in his last five holes. However, the Englishman makes a hash of the par 4 11th, with a double bogey six dropping him back to fourth.
In the group, Olesen makes a huge up-and-down from the back of the green to stay within one of Homa. His chip looked impossible and, after racing it by the flag, he holes the seven-footer for par coming back. That could be huge given the circumstances...
MISTAKE FROM HOMA
Could the tide be turning here? Max Homa finds the middle of the fairway at the 11th and you would expect him to put it close with the approach. The American, though, pulls his second well left! He is short-sided and will need to rely on that magic short game to come away with a par.
TIE FOR THE LEAD
Drama at 11! Short sided, Homa opts for the parachute shot but fails to get it on the green, landing around four-feet short of his target. Still with a wedge in his hand, the American is forced to wait as his playing partner, Matthieu Pavon, taps in for a double bogey six and, when it's his turn to play, Homa almost drains his chip shot. He taps in for a bogey, but he is now in a share of the lead with Olesen, who has just missed the green at the par 3 12th.
DROPPED SHOT FROM OLESEN
Just as Homa dropped a shot at the 11th, Olesen has dropped one at the 12th. In all honesty, it wasn't a difficult up-and down but, when Olesen races his chip by the hole, he is unable to convert the par putt coming back. He moves back to -16 and one shot behind Homa.
THOMAS ENJOYING A GOOD RUN
Justin Thomas has found his form recently and, with seven birdies and one bogey through 14 holes, he is now in a share of fourth place. The American is five shots back of his fellow countryman, Homa, but you just never know with Thomas...
HOJGAARD HOLES A CLASSY PUTT AT 12
Nicolai Hojgaard moves within three shots of the lead with a beautiful lengthy birdie putt. The Dane is three-under for his round and, thanks to that 20-footer, he is closing in on Homa, who has just made a crucial up-and-down to maintain his one shot advantage.
HOMA LEADS BY TWO
Olesen finds the middle of the fairway with his tee shot at the 13th but, once again, the Dane makes a poor mistake. From 110-yards, his wedge shot finds the greenside bunker and, after putting his third to seven-feet, he can't convert. That's back-to-back bogeys and he is now two back of Homa, who has just missed the fairway with his tee shot.
HOMA NAVIGATES THE 13TH
Just missing the fairway with his tee shot, Homa clips a delightful wedge to eight-feet. Striking his birdie putt, it looks in but somehow just misses! That's another hole down for the 32-year-old, who leads by two with five holes left.
HUGE BREAK FOR HOMA
Wow! That is a huge break for Homa at the 14th! He pulls his shot left and it seems destined to find the thick stuff. However, the ball strikes the rules officials buggy and kicks back in bounds. What's more, the ball is resting by the path so he will be able to get a drop. That could be the difference between winning and losing!
Up ahead, Olesen has found the back edge of the green but is faced with a tricky chip shot that he does well to finish around five-feet from the flag. Ahead of them, Justin Thomas has chipped in for par to remain at -12 and in a share of fourth.
Olesen within one
After a classy chip from Thorbjorn Olesen, he converts the birdie putt to move back within one of Homa. Back in Homa's group, the American has taken a free drop and is laying up well back.
DEVILISH PIN POSITION AT 14
The 14th pin position is incredibly devilish, slotted in the tightest portion of the green... After both Hojgaard and Homa are forced to lay up, it's a battle of the third shots and, with Hojgaard sticking it close for birdie, Homa lands it a foot too long, with his shot holding up in the rough behind the flag.
HOJGAARD ON THE CHARGE
That's two birdies in three holes for Nicolai Hojgaard, who converts his excellent approach at the 14th. He moves within two of Homa and, with four holes remaining, this really isn't over...
How Important Could This Be For Homa?!
A very lucky break for @Maxhoma as he hits a buggy and lands back in play...😰#NGC2023 pic.twitter.com/NI4ixcTMdhNovember 12, 2023
BIG SAVE FROM OLESEN
The Dane isn't giving up and, at the 15th, he makes an up-and-down from the edge of the green to keep one behind Homa. Three holes remain for Olesen and I think he will need to birdie two of them to have a chance...
CLUTCH FROM HOMA
Is that game over? Homa has produced two of the best shots you will see at the tough 15th. Facing a seven-foot putt for birdie, the American duly rolls it in and is now two shots clear with three to play. It really is his to lose now!
BRADBURY AND THOMAS SHOW OFF FOR THE CROWDS
Currently, Dan Bradbury and Justin Thomas share fourth position and it's thanks to shots like this that they do. At the 16th, Bradbury holes a 35-footer for birdie and, at the 18th, Thomas puts his approach from 205-yards to inside 10-feet. Simply lovely!
MAX HOMA!
.@Maxhoma hammers home a 38-foot putt to go 3 shots clear...🔥#NGC2023 pic.twitter.com/RSUuGTgzgJNovember 12, 2023
Wow! What an incredible putt from Max Homa! He finds the 16th green, albeit 40-feet away, but that doesn't phase the leader, who rams the putt into the back of the hole for back-to-back birdies. The lead is three for the first time and Homa is set to pick up the title in South Africa!
Olesen double bogeys the 17th
Olesen has endured an up-and-down back nine and, at the tough 17th, he makes a double bogey after a short three putt! He is now five back and outright third...
HOMA IN CONTROL
The only slight bit of luck he has had is the 14th hole, but Homa has looked incredibly calm and controlled this final round and, in all honesty, this week. He hits a gorgeous drive and second shot into the 17th, with the American safely on the green and facing another birdie putt.
His lead is four and with Hojgaard, his nearest challenger, forced to lay-up from a fairway bunker, it's only a matter of time before we crown the American the Nedbank Golf Challenge winner.
HUGE PUTT FOR HOJGAARD
Forced to lay-up, Hojgaard gets up-and-down from 50-yards to remain solo second. That could/will be worth a lot of money and ranking points for the 22-year-old at the end of play.
Great week for Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas fires a six-under final round of 66 to finish inside the top 5. The American looks to be returning to form which, given his struggles this year, is an excellent thing to say!
BRAVE EFFORT FROM OLESEN
There was a lot of good golf today from Olesen, but he will rue two bogeys and a double bogey in his final seven holes. He finishes at -14 which, for now, is good enough for outright third.
BIG MOMENTS FOR HOJGAARD
A par at the last will mean that Hojgaard finishes outright second and picks up $665,000. However, he will need to do so from the greenside bunker, with the Dane finding one from his second shot at the 18th. Big moments coming up...
HOJGAARD GETS IT!
That was a $200,000 putt! Hojgaard races his bunker shot past the flag and faces a 10-footer coming back. Needing to hole a left-to-right putt, the Ryder Cupper obliges and finds the middle of the hole. Some bottle from the 22-year-old!
MAX HOMA WINS THE NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE
A deserved winner! Max Homa picks up his first international title with a comfortable four stroke victory. What a performance from the American, who claims Africa's Major!
