South African star Retief Goosen ended a frustrating 21-month title drought with a magnificent two-stroke victory at the Iskandar Johor Open. The two-time Major champion fired a superb final round of six-under-par 66, overcoming an overnight four-shot deficit at the Royal Johor Country Club to triumph at the US$500,000 Asian Tour event.
Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant and Australian Kane Webber challenged Goosen all the way before settling for second and third place respectively after a 71 and 70 respectively. Iain Steel was Malaysia's best finisher after a 72 earned him tied fourth place with overnight leader Niclas Fasth of Sweden and Australian trio Andrew Dodt, Richard Moir and Mitchell Brown.
It was Goosen's fourth victory on the Asian Tour and his 29th international title and ended a lean spell where his last victory came at the Qatar Masters in early 2007. He also extended his proud winning record of having won at least an individual or team title since 1995.
The South African, who ended the week with a 12-under-par 276 winning total, enjoyed a flying start with a birdie on the par five second hole and produced a stunning eagle on the par five fourth when he holed out his third shot from the fairway.
Another 15-footer for birdie on the 10th hole saw the 39-year-old tie Thaworn for the lead and he was soon out in front on his own when the Thai bogeyed the 10th hole. Two more birdies on the 14th and 15th holes from 15 and six feet saw Goosen pull ahead by three.
Thaworn, chasing a record 11th career win at the Iskandar Johor Open, birdied the 14th hole to get to within two shots of Goosen but failed to find the two birdies down the stretch to force a play-off.
A weather-delay which suspended play for two hours and 15 minutes while the last two groups were still on course only served to delay the inevitable as Goosen walked off with the winner's cheque of US$79,250.
Thaworn, Asia's number one in 2005, started strongly with birdies on the second and third holes but dropped shots on the fifth and 10th with errant drives. He gave himself a glimmer of hope with his birdie on the 14th which came a little too late.
Webber, showing a welcome return to form after a lean spell, was in the title mix as well with birdies on the 15th and 16th holes before running out of steam.
