Mandela Champs: Walt wins,Shiv 28th

December 14, 2013. South Africa’s Dawie van der Walt was overwhelmed as he held his second European Tour title at The Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa.

The 30-year-old South African shot a closing 66 at Mount Edgecombe to run out a two shot winner over Matthew Baldwin and Jorge Campillo the day before Mandela’s funeral, the former President having passed away last week at the age of 95.

“It’s obviously really special, making you a part of history,” said van der Walt.

[highlight] Winning The Nelson Mandela at this time, it means a lot and it’s something I can keep close to my heart for ever, said Walt [/highlight]

“Winning The Nelson Mandela at this time, when it’s sad for everyone, everyone is mourning and tomorrow’s the big day, it means a lot and it’s something I can keep close to my heart for ever.”

While, Shiv Kapur, only Indian in the tournament, made significant recovery from his 84th position after day one, to finish tied 28th at the end of rain lashed tournament at Durban. Kapur shot 71-65-69 with a total score of 205 after a reduced 54 hole play on Saturday.

Van der Walt won his first European Tour event on home soil in this at March at Tshwane Open. But since then he has made only one cut, and was out of form due to injury.

However, once he claimed the outright lead with an eagle from 30 feet at the 12th, the World Number 337 never looked like relinquishing the €158,500 winner’s cheque.

Baldwin and Campillo – who shot a stunning 59 on Friday – both finished with rounds of 68, earning the former a best-ever European Tour finish, with France’s Romain Wattel a shot further back in fourth and left to rue a triple-bogey eight on the par five eighth yesterday.

Shiv Kapur, who was tied 84th after round one, shot superb 65 to recover from the cut mark and finish tied 28th. Kapur, who was on the cut-line at one-under, when play stopped due to darkness last evening, birdied the 12th, 15th and 18th to compile a five-under 65 in second round for a total of four-under 136. In the second round, Kapur had three birdies on third, seventh and eighth and a bogey on ninth and then added birdies on 12th, 15th and 18th.