Michael Sheehan
Doug McGuigan held off overnight leader Keith Horne in a titanic struggle to win the Nelson Mandela Bay Classic at a windy Humewood links golf course in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon.
A day after the 51-year-old Sunshine Senior Tour professional lost his mother, who was 80, McGuigan managed to come through for victory with a final-round 68 for a 3-round total of 13-under-par.
Horne had to settle for second place on 12-under par after a final round of 70.
Evergreen 68-year-old Mark McNulty was solo third on 5-under par after a final round of 73 in conditions far tougher than the first two days of this R500 000 Sunshine Senior Tour event, for professionals 50-years and older.
McGuigan said victory in the second edition of the NMB Classic on one of his favourite courses would always have a special place in his heart after the emotion of losing his mother.
"The guys love playing at Humewood and it's a special place, but because of what's happened to me recently it will always have an extra special meaning for me," he said.
The tournament looked like heading for a playoff as Horne and McGuigan were tied for the lead playing the dangerous par 5 17th.
However, Horne found the burn in front of the green which led to a bogey and McGuigan parred the final two holes to secure an emotional victory.
"It was a great battle with Keith and I'm happy that I was able to pull it off in the end," said McGuigan.
Sunshine Senior Tour chief operations officer Neville Clarke said the second edition of the NMB Classic had been another resounding success as he expressed his appreciation at the support received from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
"The people in charge of organising events at the municipality have worked very hard to make this a success and we feel it's a great boost for the region. The tournament went off very well with great conditions and great weather at the Humewood links and we look forward to returning next year."
Leading scores NMB Classic: Humewood
-13 - Doug McGuigan 68, 67 68
-12 - Keith Horne 66, 68, 70
-5 - Mark McNulty 71, 67, 73
0 - Neil Cheetham 73, 71, 72, Paul Marks 74 72 70
+1 - Kenneth Dube 73, 68, 76
