Martin clings on to title after late Michael scare

Defending champion Pablo Martin held his nerve to claim back-to-back Alfred Dunhill Championship titles after an error-strewn closing almost cost him in Malelane.

The Spaniard trailed by a shot from Anthony Michael heading into the final round, but his two-under-par 70 enabled him to end on 11 under overall.

South African Michael's 73 meant Martin won by two shots at the Leopard Creek Country Club.

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But the win did not come without drama, with nerves seemingly getting the better of both men towards the end.

Malaga golfer Martin, who had a five-shot lead with six holes to play, saw that advantage quickly eroded as a bogey on the 14th and triple bogey on the 17th meant there was only one shot in it heading into the last.

But Martin birdied the par-five 18, while his rookie playing partner could only manage a par after finding the water when he had little option but go for the green.

Michael finished tied for second, alongside Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen, who carded a round-of-the-day 66, and countryman Charl Schwartzel, who posted a 70.

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Another South African, Thomas Aiken, turned in a good showing to sit a shot back in fifth place after ending with a 70 for a seven-under total of 281.

Robert Dinwiddie was the highest-placed Briton after his two-under-par 70 enabled him to finish a shot further back – tied for sixth with South African Alex Haindl (73).

Dinwiddie's fellow Englishman Robert Rock completed the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event in joint eighth place.