Goosen wins title in South Africa

SUN CITY, South Africa - Retief Goosen won the Nedbank Challenge by six strokes in his home country Sunday, closing with a 3-under-par 69 while third-round leader Lee Westwood was undone by a triple bogey on the eighth hole and finished with an 80.

• Photos

Goosen, the U.S. Open champion, was at 7-under 281. Countryman Ernie Els and Australia's Stuart Appleby were next at 287. Els, a three-time champion at Sun City, shot a 71 and Appleby a 74. Americans Chris DiMarco (74) and Jim Furyk (72) were at 288.

Goosen nearly didn't play this tournament after learning Wednesday his newborn daughter was in hospital with bronchitis."

"I was all ready to climb onto a plane right away and go back to London," he said. "But my wife, Tracy, persuaded me to play, and this win certainly makes it worthwhile."

Westwood followed his triple bogey on the par-4 eighth with a birdie on the ninth. But Goosen responded with an eagle on the same hole.

"After that, I thought I could get to 12 under for the tournament," Goosen said. "But the bogeys on 10 and 11 put that out the window."

Goosen has been weakened by a cold that has lasted three weeks, making the whole tournament a struggle.

"Every shot was like a fight out there this week," he said. "At least my chipping was good."

Goosen, whose U.S. Open victory this year came on a demanding Shinnecock Hills course on Long Island, relishes the challenge of difficult layouts.

"This was one of the toughest courses we played on all year," he said. "I like it when it's really tough. I think better players come through on a tough course."

The course caused a trail of poor scores - notably, Sergio Garcia. The Spaniard closed with a 78 and finished 22 strokes off the lead.