Fernandez-Castano wins in Italy

bruced
September 16, 2012

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano carded a closing 64 to win the BMW Italian Open by two shots.

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano carded a closing 64 to win the BMW Italian Open by two shots.

The Spaniard shot a bogey-free 64 to pip overnight leader Garth Mulroy whose respectable 67 was not enough to keep him ahead of the field, with the South African left to rue bogeys on the 6th and 17th.

Six birdies on the back nine saw local favourite Matteo Manassero claim a share of third with Gregory Bourdy who like Fernandez-Castano carded only birdies on the day.

Nicolas Colsaerts, who will play in the Ryder Cup later in the month, briefly held the lead after an eagle on the fifth, but the Belgian was only able to close with a level-par 36 on the back nine to end his charge. As a result, Colsaerts was left six shots adrift, tied for fifth with Gary Boyd who raced up the field courtesy of a 63.

“Not making the Ryder Cup was disappointing,” said the 31-year-old who narrowly failed to qualify for the Ryder Cup

“I had a victory, two second-placed finishes and one third, and it hasn’t been good enough. It’s tough.

“You have to play well in the big events, and that’s what I didn’t do this year unfortunately. I have talked to Olly about The Ryder Cup many, many times. I can laugh about it now, but it hasn’t been easy.

“I just needed to believe in myself and put The Ryder Cup out of my head, which I’ve done this week. I changed my schedule a little – I normally travel on a Tuesday but I arrived here on Wednesday, mainly because I wanted to see the kids start school.

“It was a completely different frame of mind for the week. I didn’t know the course, so everything was new to me. I just followed my caddie’s instructions and it worked. The main thing was my attitude. I didn’t get to frustrated out there or try too hard. I just let it happen.”

European Tour Home