DURBAN, South Africa: An eagle and two birdies in the closing stretch allowed South African Dawie van der Walt to shoot a 66 and secure an emotional two-shot victory at the curtailed Nelson Mandela Championship on Saturday.

Van der Walt achieved his win just a day before former South African president Mandela, who died last week aged 95, is laid to rest.

"It's obviously really special, making you a part of history," Van der Walt said.

"Winning The Nelson Mandela at this time, when it's sad for everyone, everyone is mourning and tomorrow's the big day, it means a lot and it's something I can keep close to my heart for ever."

Van der Walt carded four under par 66 on Saturday at the tournament reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather earlier in the week. The event also concluded a day earlier than usual so that it avoided clashing with Mandela's funeral.

Van der Walt finished ahead of Spain's Jorge Campillo and England's Matthew Baldwin, who both carded 2-under 68s.

Daniel Brooks relinquished his overnight lead following an abysmal start and struggled to a six over par 76 finish.

Having not dropped a shot in his opening two rounds, Brooks succumbed to four bogies and a double bogie in his front nine on Saturday to slide down the leaderboard.

Saturday's win was a welcome return to form for Van der Walt, who claimed his second win on the European Tour this year following his success at the Tshwane Open.

"I haven't been in that good form, I had an injury and have been struggling, so this is almost overwhelming. It almost felt like I have been at the top of my game and then hit rock bottom this year, so to win the last event of the year will make Christmas a lot more fun," he said.

Perry, O'Hair strong again at Shootout

In Naples, Florida, Kenny Perry and Sean O'Hair got off to a strong start in defense of their Franklin Templeton Shootout title by combining for a 64 in a modified alternate-shot format to share the lead on Friday in Naples, Florida.

Joining Champions Tour Player of the Year Perry and O'Hair at eight under par in the charity event at Tiburon Golf Club were the teams of Matt Kuchar-Harris English and Charles Howell III-Justin Leonard.

Perry and O'Hair were three under par over the front nine before running off four birdies in a row from the 13th in a format where both players hit drives and then select the best one and alternate shots the rest of the hole.

Howell and Leonard were level par before posting birdies on the last three holes on the outward nine and also went five-under on the back nine.

Kuchar and English combined to eagle the 17th hole as they surged into a share of the lead.

The 12 teams in the event will play better ball on Saturday and finish with a scramble on Sunday.

The leading three teams were three strokes clear of Retief Goosen of South Africa and Swede Fredik Jacobson, who shot a 67.