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Kingston: winner at Paarl

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James Kingston has finally got the European Tour-winning monkey off his back and he thoroughly deserved to win the South African Open.

He had won nine tournaments in South Africa and four in Asia, so he knew how to win. He'd just got some kind of mental block when it came to winning in Europe.

He's led twice - he was stood on the last tee at the Hong Kong Open and found a way to lose - and I don't think too many people had confidence in him hanging on at Paarl, especially on such a tough golf course.

The new Jack Nicklaus course was absolutely magnificent and it proved a tremendous test at 6,400 yards, so all credit to James.

It was a marvellous performance. He stayed calm and swung the club an awful lot better on the last day. His balance and rhythm were certainly better than they were on the third day.

He proved a lot of people wrong and it was a very emotional James Kingston that received the trophy. He'll be very proud to have won the second oldest Open Championship in the world after The Open and he thoroughly deserved it after a sensational display.

Credit due

Credit must also go to the runner-up Oliver Wilson, who is a very much improved player and is getting ever closer to his maiden victory. He has now lost two play-offs - one to Anton Haig at the Johnnie Walker Classic and one to Paul Casey in China.

It won't be long before he wins a tournament because his swing is improving all the time and he played the back nine very solidly after struggling on the front nine on Sunday.

In the end he ran Kingston very close in the fading light and he proved what a rich talent he is.

I was also absolutely over the moon to see Darren Clarke finish 2007 in tied third. It was a wonderful finish to the year for him and was a much-needed confidence boost.

It was good to see him looking so relaxed. He was smiling an awful lot and he had clearly been working hard on his swing with Ewen Murray. His ball-striking was splendid and he is nearly back to his very best.

You get the feeling that the one missing ingredient in Darren's game was confidence and maybe his performance at the weekend will turn out to be the catalyst for an absolutely brilliant calendar year in 2008.

Rare appearance

We also witnessed a fabulous performance from Greg Norman. He hadn't played in a competitive tournament since Dubai more than a year ago because he bases his schedule around his business commitments. But he's obviously got an interest in developing courses in that part of the world, so it was a rare appearance for him.

But we clearly saw that a competitive fire still burns inside him and to produce that quality of golf with such little practice was incredible.

The other thing I noticed was how fit he looks and you can only pay tribute to his work ethic. I don't know if he has got plans to play much Seniors golf - and I suspect he will focus on his massive business empire - but it was an absolute delight to see the Great White Shark playing so well on our screens once again.

I'm now going to enjoy some time at home over Christmas, but then I'm looking forward to the return of Golf Night and working for Sky Sports in 2008.

With the Ryder Cup to look forward to in September, it is going to be an immensely exciting year. I can't wait!