Paul Peterson claims maiden Tour victory in Prague

Omnisports

August 21, 2016 2:06 AM

Paul Peterson had endured a difficult season after securing two top-ten Europen Tour finishes in 2015, but dug deep to hold Thomas Pieters at bay

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Paul Peterson claimed his first European Tour title after overcoming Thomas Pieters in a tense final-round duel to win the Czech Masters by one shot.

The American, playing in just his 23rd tour event, trailed the Belgian by two shots overnight despite equalling the Albatross Golf Resort course record with his third round 64.

But he managed to reel the defending tournament champion in as the final round progressed and the two were tied on 13 under with 15 holes played.

Peterson then birdied the par three 16th, while Pieters could only muster a par and the man from Tucson, Arizona duly held his nerve to sink a 17-foot putt on the 18th and secure the win.

Pieters' runners-up finish came off the back of an impressive display for Belgium at the Olympics and, although he required victory in Prague to seal an automatic place in the Ryder Cup team, he may yet be included as a wildcard.

English duo David Howell and Ryan Evans both shot 68 to finish 11 under and tied for third, while another Englishman, Matthew Fitzpatrick, was a further shot back and David Lipsky of the USA finished up in sixth place after carding nine under.

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