South Africa's Jbe Kruger finally shed his perennial bridesmaid tag when he closed with a final round three-under-par 69 to win the Avantha Masters on Sunday.

Kruger, who had come close on many occasions, especially in 2010, where he had to settle for the runner-up spot three times, was clearly relieved when he lifted his maiden Asian Tour title with a winning total of 14-under-par 274 at the DLF Golf and Country Club. Titleist Scotty Cameron Limited Edition Napa Putter

Spain's Jorge Campillo signed off with a 67 to take a share of second place with Germany's Marcel Siem on 276, while Australia's Marcus Fraser and Spain's Manuel Jose Lara closed with matching 277s for a share of fourth place.

Kruger, who made his debut on the Asian Tour in 2009, was always in control from the opening tee.

Despite carding a lone bogey on the par-four 17th, the South African knew that it was his title to lose and was clearly elated when he sunk his winning par putt on the closing 18th hole.

"It's a big relief now that I've won but I think I needed all those second-placed finishes to be able to appreciate this. There was no pressure even when I made my only bogey of the day on the 17th," said the 25-year-old.

That bogey came as the result of an overcooked approach shot, and more potential trouble was to come at the par-five last where a wayward drive struck a camera and his second went left in to trees. Faced with a tough third shot over the water, however, Kruger didn't flinch, and stuck his approach to ten feet.

It may have seemed to others as if it was a nervy finish, but the South African never lost his confidence.

"I knew victory was always a possibility from my first shot. Then I felt that victory was inevitable when I got to the 14th hole," added Kruger, who moved to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit with his Titleist Scotty Cameron Limited Edition Napa Putter
win.