Chippenham's Jordan Smith misses out on MyGolfLife Open title in play-off

The Bowood Golf Club member put himself into contention with a bogey-free 65 on Sunday at Pecanwood Golf and Country Club, going on an extraordinary run of seven birdies in a nine-hole stretch around the turn on his way to setting the clubhouse target.

Smith was later joined on 22-under by Adri Arnaus - who signed for a final-round 67 - and Larrazabal, who held a one-shot lead until an error on his penultimate hole resulted in a bogey and a three-way tie at the top.

With a play-off needed to crown the winner, Arnaus was eliminated with a bogey on the first extra hole while his two playing partners made birdie.

As Smith and Larrazabal tussled down the second extra hole, the Spaniard’s outstanding approach set him up to tap in from close range and lift his first DP World Tour title since December 2019.

“This win means a lot,” Larrazabal said. “I’ve been working so hard and I’m very happy to get it done.

“I love this place. I love good golf courses and nature, and South Africa has it all. The crowds here have been so special to me all these years.”

Smith, who began the final round four shots off the lead held by Hennie du Plessis, surged through the field with seven birdies in the space of nine holes from the fourth, but was unable to pick up any more shots in the last six as his chance of a first title since 2017 faded.

The 30-year-old’s outstanding start to 2022 saw a third top-10 finish in five starts, pushing him up to fourth in the DP World Tour rankings.

Elsewhere, Cumberwell Park member Laurie Canter secured a top-25 finish with his 14-under par total.

A disappointing 74 on Saturday left him out of contention on the final day, but Canter responded with a solid 68 on Sunday to book 14,000 euros and a 12-place jump up the DPWT rankings.

Fellow Cumberwell member Steve Surry failed to make the cut after a 74 on Thursday was followed up with a level-par 72 on Friday.