John Parry capped a stellar 2024 by claiming a second DP World Tour title more than 14 years on from his first as a brilliant burst of scoring on the back nine saw him win the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open by two shots.
The Englishman started the day five shots off the lead but carded an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey to sign for a stunning 64 and set the clubhouse target at 14 under par.
With third-round co-leader Dylan Naidoo still making his way down the back nine, Parry faced an anxious wait, but when the South African did not make the eagle he required to force a play-off at the last, Parry was able to celebrate his return to the DP World Tour winner's circle.
Although his last victory at this level came at the Vivendi Cup 2010, Parry is no stranger to lifting trophies, having won three times on the European Challenge Tour this calendar year.
South Africans Naidoo and Christo Lamprecht finished in a tie for second, two shots behind Parry, on 12 under, one ahead of countryman Jovan Rebula.
After three birdies and one bogey on the front side saw him turn in 34, Parry's final round burst into life on the homeward nine as he chipped in for an eagle at the 12th to get within one shot of the lead.
The 38-year-old followed that up with back-to-back gains on the 13th and 14th before an eight-foot birdie on the 16th handed him the outright lead.
He produced a shot-of-the-week contender off the 17th tee before being unable to convert the six-foot birdie putt but made amends at the last as he closed his round with a fine birdie to go two clear and give himself breathing space at the summit.
And with no-one in the final groups able to catch him, Parry secured a long-awaited DP World Tour victory and finished top of the Opening Swing Rankings, making him exempt into all 'Back 9' tournaments and earning him a US$200,000 bonus.
Having won the Delhi Challenge in March, the Blot Open de Bretagne in June, the Italian Challenge Open in September and now the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, 2024 represents a real return to prominence for Parry, who revealed he was close to giving up golf a number of years ago amid a struggle for form and results.
"It's massive," he said. "I don't know how long ago - five or six years ago - I was back on the EuroPro Tour and I was close to giving up golf after winning when I was 23 out here.
"So it's been a long battle back but worth every moment for this week."
Parry feels his excellent eagle at the 12th was a turning point on Sunday.
He added: "It was a bit of a challenging week all week but that chip-in on the 12th really just gave me a bit of momentum for the rest of the round. So that was a real key moment.
"That eagle there just got me a little spark, with a couple of good chances coming up. And I just really didn't miss a shot coming in so that was really key."
