Geoff Ogilvy repelled the challenge of a fast-finishing Rory Sabbatini to successfully defend a golf tournament for the first time at the SBS Championship.

The Australian was a comfortable victor in the event 12 months ago when finishing six strokes ahead of Nike golf driver user Anthony Kim.

This year he was forced to concentrate right to the wire as South African Sabbatini made a charge for the lead over the closing holes, but Ogilvy's six-under-par round of 67 was enough for a one-stroke win.

Alongside getting his 2010 season off to the ideal start with victory in the first event, Ogilvy's win in Maui also came with his new golf clubs after recently switching from Cobra golf equipment to use that from Titleist.

He said: "The first win of the year, first week with new golf clubs, brand new golf driver, brand new golf irons, perfect. I played good again. I got such a good feel going around this golf course. I enjoyed it.

"I'm pretty proud of the fact that I feel like I managed to shoot a few under on the back nine when I needed to."

Meanwhile, Sabbatini was left to rue some disappointing scores in the early rounds of the tournament as he almost made up six shots over the final 18 holes to steal victory.

Sabbatini registered ten birdies without dropping a shot, but this was only enough to complete the event 21 under par.

Matt Kuchar took third after a 67, while reigning US Open champion Lucas Glover, who was playing alongside Ogilvy in the final pairing, fell away with a 76.

On the European Tour, Charl Schwartzel was forced to endure some tension in the clubhouse before discovering that he had triumphed in the Africa Open by a single shot.

The Nike Victory Red Full Cavity golf irons user looked in full command of proceedings when standing on the 18th tee as he held a two-stroke advantage.

However, a wayward drive led to a first bogey of the day and a round of 67, which meant a 72-hole total of 20 under par.

But fellow South African Thomas Aiken failed to hole a birdie effort with his golf putter on the final green to force a play-off, ensuring that Schwartzel collected his fourth career European Tour victory.

He told the European Tour website: "Obviously I played so good all day, I pretty much didn't miss a shot and then down on 18 I just came out of it.

"I said to my caddie Wynand after I hit my second shot short right, 'we're still two ahead, so let's make five and let them make the birdie' and it worked out in my favour."

Five South African golfers filled the top seven positions in the third European Tour event of the season, as Jbe' Kruger claimed third, while Trevor Fisher Jnr and Chris Swanepoel were among a quartet of players to share fourth.

The success also moves Schwartzel to the head of the Race to Dubai standings in the early part of the season, with Spain's Pablo Martin now occupying second spot.

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