Struver's wait rewarded

Sven Struver survived an anxious morning yesterday in Johannesburg before winning the South African PGA Championship without hitting a shot on the final day.

The 28-year-old had to watch half the field complete their final round, having posted a brilliant 63 to move to 14 under par on Sunday before lightning and rain forced the postponement of the third and final round.

Ireland's David Feherty and the world No 3, Ernie Els, finished joint second, three strokes behind the German, who secured his first European Tour victory with a three-round aggregate of 205.

"Winning your first tournament is always the toughest but I hope it won't change my life," Struver said. "This is a long way from home and I doubt if people in Germany will even realise that I have won a tournament."

Els had the best chance of catching Struver when he resumed on 11 under with six and a half holes to play. After two bogeys and two birdies, Els hit his wedge approach at the 16th to four feet, but he pushed the putt past the hole and Struver became champion.