American Jordan Gumberg was close to tears on Sunday after winning the SDC Championship at the second hole of a play-off against South African Robin Williams in the eastern Cape.

Gumberg claimed his first European Tour title by sinking a birdie putt at the par-four 18th to pip Williams, who double bogeyed the 17th in the final round to lose a long-time two-stroke lead.

Both parred the first hole of the play-off on a grey, wet and windy afternoon at the St Francis Links, 105 kilometres west of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

"This win means the world to me, it means everything," said the emotional 28-year-old champion, ranked 669 in the world, before receiving the trophy and $255,000 (€235,000) first prize.

"I missed a couple of birdie putts on the inward nine today and began to believe that victory would be unobtainable.

"But I stuck with my plan of playing one hole at a time and now I have exceeded my wildest dreams by winning on the European Tour.

"To succeed here in the eastern Cape makes it all the more special. This is an incredible part of the world."

Gumberg (68) and Williams (69) finished on 276, 12 under with David Ravetto (70) from France third two shots behind.