Thomas Bjorn culminated a successful 2013 in the ideal manner, by winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City after a brilliant final round of 65. The 42-year-old Dane would stunningly make two eagles on his back nine, to claim his 15th European Tour title by two shots from Sergio Garcia and Jamie Donaldson.
It’s been an excellent year from Bjorn, after he finished 10th on the 2013 Race to Dubai after winning the Omega European Masters at Crans-Sur-Sierre. Two weeks ago, he also finished second to Jason Day at the World Cup of Golf, in the midst of playing some of the finest golf in his lucrative career.
“This is right up there with the best days of my career,” said Bjorn.
“You never forget your first victory, and then my win against Tiger in Dubai when I went toe-to-toe with him for four days and came out top was special, but winning here in the way that I did against a field of this quality is up there.
“I knew I had to shoot something low and then see what Jamie was doing. It turned out that it was Sergio and every time I saw a leaderboard he was making birdies. I am very proud of the way I played today - it's a very special day in my career.”
Jamie Donaldson had led the way after 54-holes, after round of 67-66-67. The Welshman would calmly open his round with four consecutive pars, before making birdies at the fifth and seventh to re-energise his position. However, last year’s Irish Open champion at Royal Portrush would drop a shot at the ninth, which saw him fall into a tie for the lead with a resurgent Sergio Garcia.
The Spaniard would produce a stunning front-nine of 30, with four successive birdies from the sixth, courtesy of some characteristically imperious iron play, seeing him join Donaldson at the summit of the leaderboard.
However, ominously, Bjorn was keeping pace, with birdies at the second, sixth and ninth keeping him right in contention. His surge was yet to come, and it made its appearance at the tenth, with a brilliant eagle suddenly move ahead of the leaders.
With Bjorn on a run of pars, the tenacious Garcia would tie him, before the experienced Dane produced another moment of magic at the 14th. He would make another eagle to retake the lead.
With Donaldson stumbling home with a disappointing round of 70, Bjorn would hold a three shot lead after Garcia dropped a shot on the 16th. With this commanding position, the veteran utilised all of his knowledge to make two comfortable pars on the 16th and 17th, with a closing bogey ultimately seeing him claim the title by two shots at Gary Player Country Club.
The likeable Dane believes that this is among the finest days of his career, but it may yet also give him an opportunity to create another one at Gleneagles next September. For the first time, this event awarded Ryder Cup qualifying points, with Bjorn having also won the first counting event in Switzerland.
These two triumphs now place Bjorn in a strong position going into the new year, with a third appearance in the biennial competition now a very real possibility. With his immense wedge game, and winning pedigree at Gleneagles, having won the Johnnie Walker Championship in 2011, the 42-year-old may have a large role in determining the destiny of the Ryder Cup next year in Scotland.
However, for now, the popular Dane can proudly toast his 15th victory on the European Tour.