South African golfer Casey Jarvis won the Kenya Open by three shots on Sunday to clinch his first title on the DP World Tour.
Jarvis, ranked 195th in the world, rolled in an eagle putt on his 72nd hole to post an eight-under 62 for the final round and finish 25 under for the tournament at Karen Country Club in Nairobi.
Jarvis also eagled the short par-four 12th hole on Sunday, making a winding right-to-left putt over a ridge, on the way to shooting 30 for his back nine.
Jarvis shared the lead in each of the first three rounds – and each time with a different player – before finally pulling away.
American Davis Bryant (64) was alone in second place and Hennie du Plessis (65) of South Africa was third.
“It’s amazing, I’ve actually never won in front of my dad before, I’ve wanted to win in front of him so badly, and to finally do it when he’s here, I can’t explain to you the emotions,” said Jarvis.
“I was so nervous coming down the last two, so yeah, it feels great. There’s not many words that can describe the feeling, I also wish my mum was here but she’s back home in the UK.
“It’s unbelievable, he’s been with me through the ups, through the downs. I know this moment doesn’t happen often, so we’re going to celebrate it properly tonight.”
Jarvis began the day as co-leader before opening with three birdies and a bogey, turning the corner one shot ahead of Du Plessis.
His eagle putt at the 12th nudged him further ahead before the first of two weather delays disrupted his day.
Upon resumption Jarvis produced his second bogey of the round on the 15th before another weather delay interrupted Bryant’s pursuit, having moved within one of his rival.
Jarvis recovered with a birdie at 17 when play got back under way, and held his nerve to seal the deal with another eye-catching eagle at 18.
“It was hard not to think of the bigger picture, all the emotions go crazy in your mind. I never knew, there’s so many things going on in my mind, it was crazy,” said Jarvis.
“But I just tried to stay in the moment, play one golf shot at a time, and it seems to have worked pretty well.”
England’s Nathan Kimsey placed tied-fifth on 19 under, while Matthew Jordan was seventh on 18 under.
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