McCARROLL BEATS SHAW IN ALL-IRELAND PLAY-OFF IN AUSTRIA

FROM THE ALPS TOUR WEBSITE

Ireland's Brendan Mc Carroll won the 20^th Gösser Open presented by Martin Wiegele at the Austrian venue today. He defeated one of his golfing friends, Northern Ireland's Gareth Shaw at the second hole of a sudden death play-off.

A group of three players took third place on the podium - France's Julien Gressier and Dominique Nouailhac and Italy's Joon Kim

It was one of the most amazing day of Alps Tour history. No fewer than seven players were on course at one time with a total of -13. Walkie-talkies kept on announcing ties and photographers ran from one group to another to be sure to have the winner in the box.

First to lead at the clubhouse was France's Domnique Nouailhac. He shot 65. A few minutes later, fellow Julien Gressier signed for same score and same total, -13. At that moment, players in the last group were -12.

Austrian Jürgen Maurer stayed close to his playing partner during 10 holes but his swing seemed to abandon him after that.

Brendan McCarroll holed for birdie on the 13^th to get to -13. He hit great shot on 16^th to improve to -14 at the same time as Shw birdied the 18th to finish on-14. The 2012 Gösser Open was in Irish hands - Brendan McCarroll (68 for 202) or Gareth Shaw (67-202).
In the play-off, playing the 18^th hole for the second time, Shaw missed his tee shot on the left behind a tree and had to play 90° to the fairway and he couldn't save par. Mc Carroll, 26,  grabbed his maiden trophy as a pro.

"I like the shape of the course, I can see the shots I have to play. It was easier than at home on links (Ballyliffin GC). I putted well this week but I didn't look at the leaderboard on the 18^th tee. I just wanted to play for a par. I felt very relaxed all day long," said McCarroll

"My shot of the day? Maybe the second on the par 5 16^th. I hit the green and I rolled a really good 20metre putt up to within three inches of the hole.

"It was funny to get into a play off against Gareth. We went fishing together yesterday. I am happy not to be second any more and obviously I would like to keep on playing well. My goal in the European tour."

The new top five in the Alps Tour order of merit is:

1 Jack Senior

2 Brendan McCarroll

3 Jesus Legarrea

4 Gareth Shaw

5 Joon Kim.

SCOTSWATCH. Ross Kellett finished T26 with a 71 for 209, a shot ahead of Kris Nicholl (Fraserburgh who signed off with a 69 for T31.

Philip McLean (Peterhead), the third Scot in the field, missed the 36-hole cut with scores of 75-72 for 147 (141 or better qualified for the final round.