Clark claims two shot victory

Tim Clark fired a final round 65 to win the South African Open in Durban by two shots.

Clark's splendid effort featured eight birdies, as he retained his overnight lead throughout the final day, and finished on 19-under par.

England's Steve Webster finished in second place after a brilliant round of 64.

Two players shared third place, the South African James Kingston and Englishman Jonathan Lomas, but they were six shots adrift of Clark at the finish.

US Open champion Retief Goosen, after a final day 70, was one of four players that finished a shot further back, on 12-under par.

Clark began two shots clear at the start of the day, and was expected to come under the most significant pressure from Goosen.

It was Webster that made an early eagle on the third hole however to signal his intentions, although Clark was still in charge with birdies at the second, third, seventh and eighth holes.

Another birdie at the tenth extended Clark's lead to three shots but a Webster birdie and dropped shot from Clark at the 11th cut that lead to just one.

The drama wasn't to last long however, as Clark effectively sealed victory with birdies at the 12th, 14th and 15th holes.

The 26 year old South African was delighted with his victory on home soil, and will now look forward to playing on the US Tour.

A wrist injury limited him to just three events in a frustrating 2001.

Of the bigger names in the field Ernie Els, the twice former US Open champion, finished on 9-under par.

The 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie finished even further back, on 5-under par.

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