Bla Bla » It was a harsh day of cross-examination

Johannesburg, South Africa (SportsNetwork.com) - After Charl Schwartzel surrendered a 4-shot lead over his final five holes, Andy Sullivan went on to birdie the first playoff hole and defeat the South African to win the South African Open Championship on Sunday. Schwartzel, who led Sullivan by four shots heading to the 14th hole, made two bogeys and a double-bogey down the stretch to blow his lead and force a playoff with the Englishman. From the left rough and under a tree on the first playoff hole, Sullivan hit an incredible approach shot to within 10 feet and he knocked in the subsequent putt to earn his first career victory on the European Tour. Its unbelievable, Sullivan said. After Saturday I didnt think I stood much of a chance with Charl getting ahead that far. I just dug in there yesterday and today and found myself in a position where I had a chance to win. My caddie said over the last few holes no regrets and Ive definitely got no regrets over the last few holes, especially the playoff hole. Sullivan, the second-round leader, rebounded after a 74 on Saturday and fired a 5-under 67 Sunday, while Schwartzel carded a 2-over 74. The duo finished regulation tied at 11-under-par 277. To just play on the European Tour is something Ive wanted to do my whole life, so to win an event just caps it all off and to do it in South Africa where I have always enjoyed playing, it has just been an incredible week, said Sullivan. Lee Slattery finished with a 3-under 69 and he ended alone in third at 10- under 278. Pablo Martin Benavides also shot a 69 and he finished in fourth at 9-under 279. Schwartzel entered the final round with a 5-shot lead over Matthew Fitzpatrick and David Drysdale, while Sullivan sat seven shots back of the lead. Fitzpatrick shot a 73 to end tied for fifth with six others at 7-under 281, while Drysdale (74) finished tied for 11th at minus-6. Playing five groups ahead of Schwartzel on the final day, Sullivan appeared to have only a slim chance of catching the leader. In fact, Sullivan made the turn at just 1-under for the day with birdies on two and six to go along with a bogey on eight. Schwartzel was even par through seven after a birdie on five and a bogey on seven. Sullivan moved to within five of the leader with another birdie on No. 10, but the big shot that gave Sullivan momentum came on No. 12. With Schwartzel through eight, Sullivan chipped in from off the green for eagle on the par-4 12th to move to minus-10, just three behind Schwartzel. It was virtually a two-player race down the stretch, although it appeared as if nobody was going to catch Schwartzel. The 30-year-old South African made a gain on 12, while Sullivan later poured in a birdie of his own on 16, keeping Schwartzels lead at three. Another birdie by Schwartzel on 13 had him looking good with a 4-shot lead, but then it all fell apart. With Sullivan finished at minus-11, the downfall started for Schwartzel when he missed a short par putt on the par-3 14th, dropping his advantage back to three. Two holes later, Schwartzel flew his approach on 16 over the green. His chip shot went well by the hole and he three-putted for double-bogey. Just like that, Schwartzels lead was down to one. It only got worse for Schwartzel as his tee shot on the par-3 17th went well right. All he could do was chip on and two-putt for bogey, tying him with Sullivan. Schwartzel nearly made a long birdie putt at the last to win, but he settled for par and headed to the playoff with Sullivan. Back on the 18th hole, Schwartzels tee shot was errant to the right and Sullivans went well left. All Schwartzel could do was lay up in the fairway and watch Sullivan stick a spectacular second shot to within 10 feet. Schwartzel did well to put the pressure on Sullivan when he stuck his approach to three feet and all but secure par. Sullivan came through in the clutch, however, as he drained his birdie putt for the win. My caddie said expect him to hole (his third shot) and he nearly did, said Sullivan. I was just delighted just to hit the green and have a chance to win and Im just glad I took it. NOTES: Six of Schwartzels nine European Tour victories have come in South Africa, but he has never won this event ... Schwartzel finished tied for second here back in 2005 ... Prior to this event, Sullivans best finish on tour came last season at the Trophee Hassan II, where he ended runner-up ... Sullivan also shared the first-round lead with Jbe Kruger ... Sullivan earned 158,500 euros with this victory ... Next up for the European Tour is the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship next week, where Pablo Larrazabal won last season. Justin Bethel Jersey . The judge sternly instructed the prosecutor to restrain himself and he apologized -- then went right back to trying to pick holes in the testimony of the double-amputee runner. It was a harsh day of cross-examination for Pistorius, challenged relentlessly about his account of the moments just before he killed Reeva Steenkamp, as well as circumstances related to several firearms charges against him, including the firing of a gun in a crowded restaurant. 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The world No 23 shot a flawless seven-under-par 65 to finish the day one shot behind Australias Matthew Giles heading into the weekend at the tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and Australasian PGA.Snedeker, who won three points out of three at Hazeltine last week to help the United States to an emphatic win over Europe, carded five birdies and an eagle at the par-five sixth and was pleased with his days work. I told myself going out this morning five-under or better would put me right where I want to be, he said. Watch NOW TV Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. To go out and shoot seven, I know I dont have the lead, Im one back, but Im comfortable where I am going into the weekend, theres a lot of golf left.Giles followed up his opening 67 with an eventful second 18 holes, the highlight of which was an eagle at the par-three eighth in a round that also included seven birdies and three bogeys. Matthew Giles holds a one-shot lead at the halfway stage First-round leader Anthony Houston is alongside Snedeker in a tie for second after a 69, with his fellow Australian Jake Higginbottom three strokes off the pace in fourth after a 70.ddddddddddddHometown hero Vijay Singh ended the day 11th on the leaderboard after a disappointing three-over 75 as he struggled in the windy conditions. Vijay Singh is well off the pace after a 75 The first three holes were fine, then it started to blow, he said. It was hard making putts, standing over short putts, it just becomes so difficult when conditions are like this.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Beef added to Hero Challenge WATCH: Redknapps big birdie Rose out for eight weeks Noren ties Carnoustie record