CONSISTENCY paid off for Dorset's Lee James in Johannesburg today.

The Parkstone-based professional carded a level par 71 in the Joburg Open fourth round to finish tied in 21st place with a cheque for £9,095.

It was James's second South African pay-day this season after the former British Amateur Champion finished tied 33rd in the South African Airways Open just before Christmas.

Not that James had it all his own way on the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington's demanding East Course, though.

After a third round laden with four impressive birdies and just the one dropped shot on the tricky 10th, James would have been eyeing a top-10 finish in his hotel room on Saturday evening.

But today's final round was a different story as battling James could only manage parity with three birdies and three dropped shots - including a third five at the par four 10th in three rounds on the East Course.

Fellow Dorset professional Gary Emerson, meanwhile, finished bottom of the pile after a nightmare fourth round.

After a three-over-par 74 yesterday, Emerson could only muster a disastrous seven-over-par 78 on the East Course today, the Wimborne pro walking away with just £1,225 to show for his efforts.