Alexander Levy beats Ross Fisher to European Open title

Omnisports

September 25, 2016 4:44 AM

European Open: An over-hit approach on the 18th from Alexander Levy resulted in a play-off with Ross Fisher, but the Frenchman came out on top.

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Alexander Levy let a four-shot lead slip but claimed the European Open title with a birdie on the second play-off hole against Ross Fisher.

Fog delays on the first three days in Bad Griesbach resulted in the competition being cut to 54 holes, and Levy held a comfortable advantage on 17 under at the start of Sunday's action.

It was an inconsistent opening for the Frenchman, though, as he began with his first dropped shot of the competition and followed up with a pair of birdies and two bogeys.

Levy recovered to post gains at eight, 10, 12, 14 and 15, but needed five to sink the ball on the par-four 16th, as Fisher moved to within a stroke after a flawless round including seven birdies.

A wayward approach shot which flew into the stands behind the green resulted in Levy bogeying the 18th, Fisher unable to convert a birdie putt to win meaning a play-off was required to separate the two players tied on 19 under.

After a pair of pars at the first attempt on the last, the Frenchman sunk an 18-foot putt for a title-clinching birdie.

"It's difficult to compare this victory with others, but I definitely feel very relieved because it looked like I had lost my chance. It's so good to have this winning feeling again after two years, it's very nice," said Levy.

"I holed a nice putt for bogey to make the play-off. It was a tough moment, I didn't hit a good second shot, but I think it was my only bad shot on the last nine holes, so I just kept my mind focused on making the bogey to get into the play-off.

"It was tough to try to hold onto a four-shot lead. I didn't play well on the front nine. I was thinking about the score and not on my own game. But I stayed patient and I started to play really well on the back nine, and in the end it worked out well."

It is Levy's third European Tour triumph, his victory at the Portugal Masters in 2014 also amid a weather-affected weekend.

Swedish duo Robert Karlsson and Michael Jonzon finished joint-third three shots back, while Bernd Wiesberger came in fifth and Martin Kaymer took sixth.

Omnisports

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