Kruger finishes eighth in PGA Tour event
South African Jbe' Kruger put together four consecutive rounds in the 60s to finish in eighth position at the CIMB Classic, a PGA Tour event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday.
While Kruger fired rounds of 66, 64, 69 and 68 for a total of 17 under on the par-71 layout, it was not enough to catch American winner Nick Watney, who threatened to break 60, but eventually signed for a 10-under 61.
Watney ended on 22 under for the week, claiming the US1.3 million (about R11.2 million) first prize.
Kruger started his final round with a birdie on the par-three second and followed with an eagle on the par-five third.
He dropped his only shot of the front nine on the par-four eighth to go out in 33.
Coming home, it was all pars until the driveable par-four 15th, where Kruger hit his tee shot to the edge of the green and proceeded to make the lengthy putt for an eagle.
On 18, Kruger drove it into the left rough. He went hard at the ball from the longer grass, but missed the green right. From there, he was unable to get the ball up-and-down and dropped his second shot of the round.
Earlier in the week, in the second round, Kruger was paired for the first time in his career with 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods.
The South African went on to give the world No 2 a golfing lesson as he shaded Woods by three shots.
Kruger, 26, said playing with Woods had helped him improve his focus.
"It's a big thing. It's the stuff you dream about," Kruger said after his round on Friday.
"But I've been struggling with my concentration, so to play with him and just to concentrate, it actually helped me."
However, Woods put that 'lesson' to good use in the final round as he compiled an eight-under 63 to finish on 19 under.
Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge had an impressive tournament as he shared fourth place with Woods on 19 under.
Further down the leaderboard was South African Trevor Immelman, the 2008 United States Masters Champion, who finished in a tie for 31st on nine under for the event.
