Johannesburg - Chris Paisley of England defied the odds near Johannesburg on Sunday to win the South African Open, his maiden European Tour triumph.

The 31-year-old carded a six-birdie final-round 66 at sun-drenched Glendower Golf Club for a total of 267 and a three-stroke victory over Branden Grace of South Africa, who shot a 68.

Grace trailed Paisley by one shot entering the final round, but was expected to triumph given his far higher world ranking of 30, much greater experience and huge home support.

Within two holes, eight-time European Tour champion Grace nudged ahead thanks to an eagle three, and many in the gallery believed Paisley would quickly crack under the pressure.

But the Englishman ranked 289 in the world held his nerve and moved into a two-shot lead by the sixth, which the 29-year-old South African double-bogeyed.

By the turn, Paisley had stretched his advantage to three shots and never looked like faltering on the back nine in stamina-sapping mid-afternoon heat.

He did find a bunker at 15, but got down in two, effectively closing the door on any chance Grace had of halting a great English run in the South African Open.

Andy Sullivan won the event in 2015 and Graeme Storm last year, leaving Paisley to make it three victories in four editions for English golfers.

South African Open leading scores Sunday after final round at par 72, 6,942-metre/7,594-yard Glendower Golf Club near Johannesburg (RSA unless noted):

267 - Chris Paisley (ENG) 66-65-70-66

270 - Branden Grace 65-71-66-68

272 - JC Ritchie 72-70-65-65

274 - Jacques Blaauw 68-70-66-70, Jacques Kruyswijk 68-67-71-68, Scott Vincent (ZIM) 70-66-71-67

275 - Darren Fichardt 70-71-64-70, Chase Koepka (USA) 65-71-68-71, Renato Paratore (ITA) 71-67-69-68, Adrien Saddier (FRA) 68-63-73-71

276 - Charlie Ford (ENG) 71-72-67-76

277 - Jorge Campillo (ESP) 70-70-67-70, Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 70-72-66-69, Hennie Otto 71-72-70-64

278 - Kyle McClatchie 68-71-68-71, Ryan Evans (ENG) 74-67-68-69, Trevor Fisher jnr 69-70-67-72, Neil Schietekat 70-72-69-67, Charl Schwartzel 69-70-69-70