Oosthuizen edges out compatriot Van der Walt to win Africa Open

The defending champion, Louis Oosthuizen, won the Africa Open yesterday (GETTY IMAGES)

The defending champion, Louis Oosthuizen, won the Africa Open yesterday, finishing two shots ahead of his fellow South African Tjaart van der Walt in East London.

The two players shared the overnight lead, but a six-under-par round of 67 gave Oosthuizen (above) the title.

They were closely matched until the par-three 17th, where Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open winner, made a birdie while Van der Walt hit a five.

Oosthuizen shot an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys to finish with a four-round total of 25 under par.

Van der Walt started the final day impressively with birdies for his first three holes, but he picked up only two more birdies and a bogey to go round in 69.

Retief Goosen finished in third place, three shots off the lead on 24 under, after he also finished with a 69. Goosen carded a birdie and an eagle in his opening three holes, but could not maintain his form.

Scotland's Alastair Forsyth was fifth, one shot further back after a closing round of 67, while England's Danny Willett could manage only a 73 to lie seventh on 19 under.