Australia has come from behind in the final four holes to claim victory in the inaugural World Cup of Disabled Golf in South Africa.

Geoff Nicholas and Shane Luke, both of NSW, led the charge and were able to overcome the local favourites Reinard Schuhknecht and Daniel Slabbert at the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa.

Winners are grinners. The Australian team of (back left to right) Shane Luke, Graham Kenyon and Geoff Nicholas, with manager James Gribble. PHOTO: Supplied

The South Africans took a one-stroke lead into the final round and stretched the gap to two shots with nine holes to play, but Nicholas and Luke stepped up a gear and closed the gap before going on to win by three shots.

Nicholas carded a 76 – to also claim the individual title by three strokes – and Luke fired a 79, his best for the tournament, for a final round 155 to give Australia a winning total of 473. The third member of the victorious side, Graham Kenyon, carded a non-counting 88

South Africa’s Schuhknecht and Slabbert had rounds of 78 and 81 respectively for 159, while Conrad Stoltz signed for a 91.

Canada’s Bob MacDermott returned an 84 while Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open champion, Josh Williams, was superb in carding an even-par 72 to secure third on 487.

Geoff Nicholas drives early in the final round. PHOTO: Supplied.

The evergreen Nicholas, a 12-time World Amputee champion, described the round as one of his most thrilling rallies ever.

“It was a very tight contest through the first 14 holes, but it turned around for us between the 14th and 16th holes,” Nicholas, 52, said.

“Reinard and I both dropped shots at the 14th, but I managed a birdie at the 15th to get back to one over. Daniel missed his birdie attempt at 15 and then Shane birdied the 16th, and suddenly we were in the driver’s seat.

Shane Luke left his best until last. His final round 79 helped get the Aussies over the line. PHOTO: Supplied.

“It was a fantastic rally and we are absolutely delighted with the result. To go home as the first World Cup of Disabled Golf champions will go a long way in shifting attention to disabled golf at home and hopefully around the world.”

Schuhknecht had been battling a wrist injury at the start of the World Cup and his final round was his best performance in the event. The reigning World One-Arm Stroke Play champion was understandably disappointed, but preferred to focus on the bigger picture.

“South Africa lost, but Daniel and I gained so much this week,” said 21-year-old.

“We got to wear our country’s national colours with pride this week and yes, we put ourselves under a lot of pressure to win. Maybe we tried too hard, but you can’t change the result.

“However, you can’t put a price on the experience of playing with seasoned international players like Geoff Nicholas, Josh Williams, Tracy Ramin, Kenny Bontz and Andy Gardiner. To watch how they conduct themselves out there was unbelievable and Daniel and I both gained from the experience.

“I’m sure we will come back even stronger next year.”

LEADERBOARD – TEAMS

473 – Australia 154-164-155

476 – South Africa 160-154-159

487 – Canada 166-165-156

495 – United States 184-160-151

510 – England 182-164-164

LEADERBOARD – INDIVIDUAL

228 Geoff Nicholas AUS 72 80 76

231 Josh Williams CAN 80 79 72

236 Kenny Bontz USA 85 78 73

236 Daniel Slabbert RSA 78 77 81

242 Reinard Schuhknecht RSA 82 82 78

245 Shane Luke AUS 82 84 79

247 Andy Gardiner ENG 90 79 78

256 Bob McDermott NZ 86 86 84

257 Krister Munther SWE 87 88 82

262 James Curley USA 99 85 78

264 Johannes Grames CAN 91 87 86

265 Darren Grey ENG 92 87 86

266 Conrad Stoltz RSA 95 80 91

266 Graham Kenyon AUS 90 88 88

268 Jason Eade NZ 90 86 92

268 Tracy Ramin USA 99 82 87

268 Wayne Eder NZ 90 89 89

272 Darren Reti NZ 92 84 96

278 Paul Tookey ENG 94 85 99

288 David Schutsander SWE 101 93 94

293 Lars Lindenberg SWE 98 101 94