Big-hitting Belgian wins by three in
Czechoslovakia
EUROPEA N TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Thomas Pieters, pictured with the trophy (courtesy of Getty Images(c), powered to victory in the D+D REAL Czech Masters, recovering from an early double bogey to win his maiden European Tour title by three shots at Albatross Golf Resort.
The big-hitting Belgian started the final round in Prague with a one shot advantage over Pelle Edberg, who joined him at the top of the leaderboard with a birdie on the second hole after both players had picked up shots on the first.
Pieters, who had double bogeyed the 11th hole in the third round after incurring a two shot penalty for playing the wrong ball, found himself one behind the Swede after a double bogey on the third hole, which Edberg bogeyed. But Pieters pulled clear with four birdies over his final ten holes, including holing a ten foot putt on the last, for a closing round of 69 and a 20 under par winning total, becoming just the third Belgian to win on The European Tour, after Phillip Toussaint and Nicolas Colsaerts.
The 23 year old finished three shots clear of Edberg, who lost his touch on the greens on the way in, making only one further birdie on the ninth and a bogey on the 11th in his one under par round of 71, to finish on 17 under par. It was the third time he has finished runner up on The European Tour.
Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick, who celebrates his 21st birthday next week, was a further shot back on 16 under par, following a round of 68. The former US Amateur Champion started the day five shots back but threatened to challenge when he began with four consecutive birdies, however his momentum was ultimately halted with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes.
Another Englishman, Robert Dinwiddie, finished fourth on 14 under par following a round of 70, while 18 year old Italian Renato Paratore recorded his first top ten finish on The European Tour with a round of 69, as he shared fifth position with Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen (74) and Finland’s Roope Kako (70) on 11 under par.
Key player quotes
Thomas Pieters – 69 (-20 total)
“This means everything to me. You work all year long for this and all my life right up to now. To be a European Tour winner is an amazing feeling right now. I’m happy to have my family with me and I’m very proud of the way I played today, especially after that early double.
“It was special having my family here with me. I called them yesterday and they were in Belgium. For them to be here right now is pretty cool that they can experience this with me. They drove through the night to get here. It is a nine hour journey, but it is great to have them here.
“It’s great to get a victory so early in my career. There are so many players out here that maybe haven’t won, or who have just won once, so I am really happy right now.
“I had to come from behind today after three holes. It was mentally tough those last 14 holes. I was more nervous last year in Spain to keep my card. In the back of the mind then I knew I had my card though, but today I just wanted to win.”
Pelle Edberg – 71 (-17 total)
“I left a few shots out there today so I’m a bit disappointed. Thomas and I played the same way as yesterday but he just beat me, so big congratulations to him. I started really well but then had a three putt and got away with a few pars. I didn’t really make any putts after the fifth hole today so it was tough.
“This was a bit different to when I’ve finished second before. In Sweden I was very nervous playing with Peter Hanson. This week I’ve been much more relaxed and felt much more comfortable, so it is a step in the right direction.”
Matt Fitzpatrick – 68 (-16 total)
“It’s a good week for me, finishing third. I got off to a great start today. It would have been nice to have carried it on. I gave myself great chances on five, six, seven and eight, and then stalled on the back nine. I was a couple of clubs out on a couple of holes, but I can’t complain. At the start of the year I would have taken finishing third here.
“I keep coming close so I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing, keep putting myself in positions and hopefully it will come. It was always going to be difficult being five behind at the start of the day, but I got it going early on but it is difficult to keep going low hole after hole. I just stalled on the back nine.
“I’ve already exceeded my expectations at the start of the year by a country mile so I’ve just got to keep going in the right direction. It’s my 21st birthday next week so I’m looking forward to going to America to celebrate with my friends and then get ready for five on the spin.”
Renato Paratore – 69 (-11 total)
“I played really good, solid from tee to green all week and putted well. Today I played good first nine – three under – then the also good on the back nine, but three putted the last hole. But I played good. It is always exciting when you are at the top of the leaderboard and playing good. It is more experience for me. I learn a lot about myself. This is my best tournament on the European Tour. I finished 13th in Dubai, but this one is better.”
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
268 T Pieters (Bel) 66 68 65 69,
271 P Edberg (Swe) 66 67 67 71,
272 M Fitzpatrick (Eng) 66 67 71 68,
274 R Dinwiddie (Eng) 69 67 68 70,
277 R Kakko (Fin) 67 72 68 70, R Paratore (Ita) 65 73 70 69, T Olesen (Den) 67 69 67 74,
278 E De La Riva (Esp) 65 76 69 68, K Broberg (Swe) 67 73 69 69, G Bourdy (Fra) 70 70 71 67, C Lee (Sco) 68 71 69 70, D McGrane (Irl) 69 70 71 68,
279 R Karlberg (Swe) 70 68 71 70, S Hutsby (Eng) 66 70 71 72, C Arendell (USA) 72 67 71 69, G Boyd (Eng) 69 72 69 69,
280 M Lundberg (Swe) 72 71 64 73, J Makitalo (Fin) 71 70 68 71, P Uihlein (USA) 70 71 66 73, G Storm (Eng) 70 73 71 66, A Wall (Eng) 72 70 67 71,
281 M Schneider (Ger) 72 67 71 71, E Pepperell (Eng) 69 68 71 73, J Lagergren (Swe) 69 73 69 70, M Hoey (Nir) 67 70 71 73, D Lipsky (USA) 71 69 68 73,
282 R Fox (Nzl) 73 67 69 73, D Drysdale (Sco) 69 73 71 69, M Decottignies-Lafon (Fra) 71 69 72 70, F Fritsch (Ger) 69 70 69 74, D Im (USA) 68 73 73 68, V Dubuisson (Fra) 72 68 70 72, J McLeary (Sco) 69 71 72 70,
283 B Ritthammer (Ger) 68 72 75 68, L Slattery (Eng) 68 72 75 68, L Jensen (Den) 71 72 66 74, P Oriol (Esp) 67 73 69 74, D Dixon (Eng) 69 70 74 70, M Tullo (Chi) 71 70 73 69,
284 P Whiteford (Sco) 70 73 69 72, J Knutzon (USA) 71 72 72 69, M Nixon (Eng) 74 68 71 71, C Paisley (Eng) 69 72 71 72, O Fisher (Eng) 71 70 73 70, B Dredge (Wal) 74 69 72 69, N Colsaerts (Bel) 73 70 68 73,
285 J Lara (Esp) 71 68 69 77, A Tadini (Ita) 71 70 73 71, K Phelan (Irl) 70 71 71 73, S Kapur (Ind) 71 72 70 72, M Foster (Eng) 67 72 71 75, J Barnes (Eng) 69 71 73 72,
286 J Hahn (USA) 72 71 72 71, D Brooks (Eng) 69 72 75 70, E Espana (Fra) 71 72 72 71, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 73 69 71 73,
287 B Evans (Eng) 71 71 73 72, F Praegant (Aut) 69 74 71 73,
288 R Evans (Eng) 73 68 71 76, P Maddy (Eng) 73 69 71 75, A Saddier (Fra) 71 70 75 72, G Porteous (Eng) 72 69 71 76,
289 P Meesawat (Tha) 70 73 72 74, S Henry (Sco) 69 72 75 73, V Novak (am) (Cze) 73 68 76 72,
290 B Stow (Eng) 72 66 76 76, J Parry (Eng) 70 71 75 74,
291 S Griffiths (Eng) 71 68 74 78, C Bouniol (Fra) 70 73 73 75, H Otto (RSA) 71 72 73 75, F Mruzek (Cze) 69 74 71 77, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 67 72 76 76,
292 S Jamieson (Sco) 67 72 78 75, M Ford (Eng) 71 68 73 80, J Sjöholm (Swe) 70 72 75 75,
294 S Hansen (Den) 71 72 72 79, P Relecom (Bel) 68 75 75 76,
Czechoslovakia
EUROPEA N TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Thomas Pieters, pictured with the trophy (courtesy of Getty Images(c), powered to victory in the D+D REAL Czech Masters, recovering from an early double bogey to win his maiden European Tour title by three shots at Albatross Golf Resort.
The big-hitting Belgian started the final round in Prague with a one shot advantage over Pelle Edberg, who joined him at the top of the leaderboard with a birdie on the second hole after both players had picked up shots on the first.
Pieters, who had double bogeyed the 11th hole in the third round after incurring a two shot penalty for playing the wrong ball, found himself one behind the Swede after a double bogey on the third hole, which Edberg bogeyed. But Pieters pulled clear with four birdies over his final ten holes, including holing a ten foot putt on the last, for a closing round of 69 and a 20 under par winning total, becoming just the third Belgian to win on The European Tour, after Phillip Toussaint and Nicolas Colsaerts.
The 23 year old finished three shots clear of Edberg, who lost his touch on the greens on the way in, making only one further birdie on the ninth and a bogey on the 11th in his one under par round of 71, to finish on 17 under par. It was the third time he has finished runner up on The European Tour.
Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick, who celebrates his 21st birthday next week, was a further shot back on 16 under par, following a round of 68. The former US Amateur Champion started the day five shots back but threatened to challenge when he began with four consecutive birdies, however his momentum was ultimately halted with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes.
Another Englishman, Robert Dinwiddie, finished fourth on 14 under par following a round of 70, while 18 year old Italian Renato Paratore recorded his first top ten finish on The European Tour with a round of 69, as he shared fifth position with Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen (74) and Finland’s Roope Kako (70) on 11 under par.
Key player quotes
Thomas Pieters – 69 (-20 total)
“This means everything to me. You work all year long for this and all my life right up to now. To be a European Tour winner is an amazing feeling right now. I’m happy to have my family with me and I’m very proud of the way I played today, especially after that early double.
“It was special having my family here with me. I called them yesterday and they were in Belgium. For them to be here right now is pretty cool that they can experience this with me. They drove through the night to get here. It is a nine hour journey, but it is great to have them here.
“It’s great to get a victory so early in my career. There are so many players out here that maybe haven’t won, or who have just won once, so I am really happy right now.
“I had to come from behind today after three holes. It was mentally tough those last 14 holes. I was more nervous last year in Spain to keep my card. In the back of the mind then I knew I had my card though, but today I just wanted to win.”
Pelle Edberg – 71 (-17 total)
“I left a few shots out there today so I’m a bit disappointed. Thomas and I played the same way as yesterday but he just beat me, so big congratulations to him. I started really well but then had a three putt and got away with a few pars. I didn’t really make any putts after the fifth hole today so it was tough.
“This was a bit different to when I’ve finished second before. In Sweden I was very nervous playing with Peter Hanson. This week I’ve been much more relaxed and felt much more comfortable, so it is a step in the right direction.”
Matt Fitzpatrick – 68 (-16 total)
“It’s a good week for me, finishing third. I got off to a great start today. It would have been nice to have carried it on. I gave myself great chances on five, six, seven and eight, and then stalled on the back nine. I was a couple of clubs out on a couple of holes, but I can’t complain. At the start of the year I would have taken finishing third here.
“I keep coming close so I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing, keep putting myself in positions and hopefully it will come. It was always going to be difficult being five behind at the start of the day, but I got it going early on but it is difficult to keep going low hole after hole. I just stalled on the back nine.
“I’ve already exceeded my expectations at the start of the year by a country mile so I’ve just got to keep going in the right direction. It’s my 21st birthday next week so I’m looking forward to going to America to celebrate with my friends and then get ready for five on the spin.”
Renato Paratore – 69 (-11 total)
“I played really good, solid from tee to green all week and putted well. Today I played good first nine – three under – then the also good on the back nine, but three putted the last hole. But I played good. It is always exciting when you are at the top of the leaderboard and playing good. It is more experience for me. I learn a lot about myself. This is my best tournament on the European Tour. I finished 13th in Dubai, but this one is better.”
FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
268 T Pieters (Bel) 66 68 65 69,
271 P Edberg (Swe) 66 67 67 71,
272 M Fitzpatrick (Eng) 66 67 71 68,
274 R Dinwiddie (Eng) 69 67 68 70,
277 R Kakko (Fin) 67 72 68 70, R Paratore (Ita) 65 73 70 69, T Olesen (Den) 67 69 67 74,
278 E De La Riva (Esp) 65 76 69 68, K Broberg (Swe) 67 73 69 69, G Bourdy (Fra) 70 70 71 67, C Lee (Sco) 68 71 69 70, D McGrane (Irl) 69 70 71 68,
279 R Karlberg (Swe) 70 68 71 70, S Hutsby (Eng) 66 70 71 72, C Arendell (USA) 72 67 71 69, G Boyd (Eng) 69 72 69 69,
280 M Lundberg (Swe) 72 71 64 73, J Makitalo (Fin) 71 70 68 71, P Uihlein (USA) 70 71 66 73, G Storm (Eng) 70 73 71 66, A Wall (Eng) 72 70 67 71,
281 M Schneider (Ger) 72 67 71 71, E Pepperell (Eng) 69 68 71 73, J Lagergren (Swe) 69 73 69 70, M Hoey (Nir) 67 70 71 73, D Lipsky (USA) 71 69 68 73,
282 R Fox (Nzl) 73 67 69 73, D Drysdale (Sco) 69 73 71 69, M Decottignies-Lafon (Fra) 71 69 72 70, F Fritsch (Ger) 69 70 69 74, D Im (USA) 68 73 73 68, V Dubuisson (Fra) 72 68 70 72, J McLeary (Sco) 69 71 72 70,
283 B Ritthammer (Ger) 68 72 75 68, L Slattery (Eng) 68 72 75 68, L Jensen (Den) 71 72 66 74, P Oriol (Esp) 67 73 69 74, D Dixon (Eng) 69 70 74 70, M Tullo (Chi) 71 70 73 69,
284 P Whiteford (Sco) 70 73 69 72, J Knutzon (USA) 71 72 72 69, M Nixon (Eng) 74 68 71 71, C Paisley (Eng) 69 72 71 72, O Fisher (Eng) 71 70 73 70, B Dredge (Wal) 74 69 72 69, N Colsaerts (Bel) 73 70 68 73,
285 J Lara (Esp) 71 68 69 77, A Tadini (Ita) 71 70 73 71, K Phelan (Irl) 70 71 71 73, S Kapur (Ind) 71 72 70 72, M Foster (Eng) 67 72 71 75, J Barnes (Eng) 69 71 73 72,
286 J Hahn (USA) 72 71 72 71, D Brooks (Eng) 69 72 75 70, E Espana (Fra) 71 72 72 71, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 73 69 71 73,
287 B Evans (Eng) 71 71 73 72, F Praegant (Aut) 69 74 71 73,
288 R Evans (Eng) 73 68 71 76, P Maddy (Eng) 73 69 71 75, A Saddier (Fra) 71 70 75 72, G Porteous (Eng) 72 69 71 76,
289 P Meesawat (Tha) 70 73 72 74, S Henry (Sco) 69 72 75 73, V Novak (am) (Cze) 73 68 76 72,
290 B Stow (Eng) 72 66 76 76, J Parry (Eng) 70 71 75 74,
291 S Griffiths (Eng) 71 68 74 78, C Bouniol (Fra) 70 73 73 75, H Otto (RSA) 71 72 73 75, F Mruzek (Cze) 69 74 71 77, J Garcia Pinto (Esp) 67 72 76 76,
292 S Jamieson (Sco) 67 72 78 75, M Ford (Eng) 71 68 73 80, J Sjöholm (Swe) 70 72 75 75,
294 S Hansen (Den) 71 72 72 79, P Relecom (Bel) 68 75 75 76,
Labels: EUROPEAN TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, August 30, 2015
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