Charl Schwartzel lands second consecutive Euro Tour win

The 25-year-old followed his one-shot Africa Open win last Sunday with a six-stroke triumph in the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington.

Darren Clarke chipped in for eagle on the last to tie for second place with Schwartzel's compatriot Keith Horne, round in a best-of-the-day 64.

The notable double, completed with a polished 66, takes Schwartzel to his best-ever position in the world – possibly as high as 35th depending on what happens on the US Tour. It should also lead to him making a Masters debut at Augusta in April. The top 50 in the week before the first major of the season all qualify.

Schwartzel was 23-under par here and is 52-under for his last 11 competitive rounds.

The margin of victory equalled the biggest of last season and Schwartzel said: "It's been a fantastic two weeks for me. I played good last week and it definitely carried over. I played pretty much flawless golf."

Within hours of his victory, however, Schwartzel decided he needed a week off and so will not try to become the first player since Seve Ballesteros in 1986 to win three consecutive European Tour events. He will be back for the Qatar Masters starting on Thursday week.

Schwartzel picked up 185,403, meaning Lee Westwood will begin his defence of the "Race to Dubai" title already more than 400,000 behind.

Fifer Peter Whiteford finished with a flourish to seal his best result on the European Tour. The 29-year-old from Kirkcaldy, who returned to the main circuit through the Challenge Tour rankings last season, signed off with a four-under 67 for a 12-under 272 and shared sixth place, earning almost 32,000.

Glasgow's former Scottish Amateur champion Andrew McArthur closed with a 74 for 281 while Clydebank-born Alan McLean shot a 71 for 284.

In Hawaii, Robert Allenby and Ryan Palmer have a three-stoke lead over the field after 54 holes at the Sony Open. Australian Allenby shot a 67 at the par-70 Waialae Country Club to edge his final-pairing duel with halfway leader Palmer (68) and join his American rival in the lead.

Aberdeen-born Michael Sim, the 2009 Nationwide Tour Player of the Year, is among 16 newcomers in the field of 91 players who have been invited to the 2010 Masters. There are six amateurs in the field, including young Italian Matteo Manassero.