BEL OMBRE, Mauritius – George Coetzee beat Thorbjorn Olesen on the second playoff hole to win the Mauritius Open on Sunday.
Overnight leader Coetzee had a trio of birdies at the par-5 18th hole – one at the end of the final round and two in the playoff – to clinch his third European Tour title.
“Being on the playoff was the most comfortable I felt today,” the South African said. “I just had to get the job done, it doesn’t matter how long it takes.”
Olesen also birdied the first playoff hole before being limited to par at his second attempt in the inaugural event on the Indian Ocean island.
Earlier, both players finished on 13-under 271 at Heritage Golf Club after Coetzee shot 2-under 69, one behind his Danish opponent.
Coetzee started with three birdies on his first five holes before stumbling with a bogey-six at No. 7. He needed a birdie at the last to force the playoff but could have won outright after he almost eagled the hole from 30 feet.
Coetzee was the highest-ranked player at the tri-sanctioned European, Asian and South African tour event.
Mardan Mamat of Singapore shot 67 to finish third on 12-under 272.
Canada’s Richard T. Lee tied for 13th after a final round 66.