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Scot Ramsay wins in South Africa

Ramsay was getting his hands on a European Tour trophy for the first time.
Ramsay was getting his hands on a European Tour trophy for the first time.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Richie Ramsay of Scotland wins South Africa Open at Pearl Valley
  • Ramsay beats Shiv Kapur at first hole of sudden death playoff
  • Overnight leader Pablo Martin slips out of contention with a 73
  • Edoardo Molinari moves into world's top 50 with tie for fourth

(CNN) -- Scot Richie Ramsay powered through field with a seven-under-par 65 to claim the South Africa Open after a sudden death playoff against Indian Shiv Kapur at Pearl Valley Golf Estates.

Ramsay, who had made waves by winning the U.S. Amateur Championship three years ago, was five off the lead at the start of the day then beat Kapur with a birdie on the first extra hole.

"There's no greater feeling than winning and I'm just a flood of emotions - I'm holding back the tears," Ramsay told www.europeantour.com.

He had tied with Kapur on 13-under par 275, with both missing birdie chances for outright victory on the final green.

There's no greater feeling than winning and I'm just a flood of emotions - I'm holding back the tears
--Richie Ramsay

But two mighty blows to the 601 yard 18th and two putts gave Ramsay a sweet victory.

He had not dropped a shot in his best of the day round, going to the turn in 33 and then grabbing more birdies on the tenth, 12th, 15th and 17th.

Denmark's Anders Hansen, Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed and Italian Edoardo Molinari could have all reached the playoff with eagles on the 18th, but all failed.

Hansen's birdie left him third, with Molinari and Hed tied for fourth.

Molinari's position is good enough to climb into the world's top 50 and a place in the U.S. Masters with brother Francesco. The in-form pair recently won the World Cup of Golf for Italy in Mission Hills and are staking a claim for a Ryder Cup place.

Overnight leader Pablo Martin, winner of last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship, slipped to sixth with a one-over 73.

Ramsay only saved his card last season with fourth at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in October, but now has an exemption until 2011.