Emotional Lee Westwood holds back tears after first European Tour win since 2014

Lee Westwood struggled to hold back tears after claiming his first European Tour victory since 2014 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

It is the third time Westwood, 45, has won the tournament in South Africa, and it took his tally of European Tour victories to 24.

Westwood, the all time top earner on the European Tour, started the final day three shots back from 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, but a round of 64 with an eagle and six birdies saw him finish three clear of the Spaniard.

"I'm a bit emotional to be honest, you're never sure whether you're going to be able to do it again," Westwood told Sky Sports.

"Still got it, I guess. Just nice to do it again under pressure and win against a couple of quality players at the end there, Sergio and Louis [Oosthuizen] were my two nearest challengers. To hit the shots I hit down the stretch, it was just nice to prove it to yourself every now and again.

Westwood's partner Helen Storey was his caddie for the week and he added: "It's been brilliant. She's caddied twice for me this year and we lost in a play-off in Denmark and we've won here. Might have to have a bit of a rethink, not least about who caddies for me, but our percentages!"

Dream team | Lee Westwood celebrates with partner and stand-in caddie Helen Storey (EPA)

"There's not much more I could have done more," Oosthuizen, who finished a shot back from Garcia, said. "I made good putts. I missed a few easier putts, but all in all I attacked when I wanted to attack and I pulled a lot of good shots off.

"Hats off to Lee the way he played today. Eight under around that golf course without a dropped shot is good golf."