Spanish duel in Munich

An emotional Pablo Larrazabal beat his fellow countryman Sergio Garcia in a tense play-off to win in Munich on Sunday.
An emotional Pablo Larrazabal beat his fellow countryman Sergio Garcia in a tense and thrilling play-off to win the BMW International Open in Munich on Sunday.
The two Spaniards fought it out over five gruelling play-off holes, until a three-putt from Garcia finally brought an end to his challenge.
28-year-old Larrazabal wins his second European Tour title, while Garcia will have to wait a bit longer for the victory that has eluded him for so long – since October 2008, in fact.
But Larrazabal has had to wait even longer for his second win, with his first coming at the French Open five months before Garcia’s last victory.
Garcia will take heart from his performance in Germany this week, however, which at one stage in the day seemed like it might be enough.
He had a fantastic start to his round, making three successive birdies starting at the sixth and following it up with two eagle putts of 25 and 40 feet respectively at the ninth and 11th holes.
It saw him move out to a two-shot lead, but an almost sure sign of nerves followed for a player only just starting to get used to being in this sort of position again.
Garcia dropped four shots in five holes on the back nine, and but for a crucial birdie at the 568-yard last after finding the green in two, he would have lost outright.
Instead, both he and Larrazabal shot rounds of 68 to finish on a 16 under par total of 272, and made their way to a sudden death play-off that ran for five holes before a winner could finally be determined.
They first played the 18th twice, with both players birdying the hole both times, before they went to the 12th and then the 17th, which still could not seperate them.
Finally they returned to the last hole, and though Garcia was much closer to the hole after two shots, it was his countryman who managed to get it up and down to take the win.
Larrazabal, who only a few weeks ago lost in a sudden death play-off at the qualifying for the Open to miss out on a spot for the year’s third major, will now be traveling to Sandwich anyway.
So will Garcia, whose second place finish earned him a spot up for grabs off a “current form” mini money list.
The victory was also an emotional one for Larrazabal.
“Last week we lost my grandad, the captain of the family, and this is for him,” he said.
“Beating one of my heroes when I was growing up is just a dream – very emotional.”
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson, who shot a 64 – the best round of the day – overnight leader Mark Foster from England, South Africans Retief Goosen and George Coetzee, and Dutchman Joost Luiten finished in a tie four third, two shots off the pace.
Latest
-
PGA Tour
Justin Rose wins AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to claim first title since 2019
Monday’s resumption saw the 42-year-old make birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th en route to a 66.
-
PGA Tour
Daniel Gavins survives final-hole drama to win Ras Al Khaimah Championship
The Englishman held his nerve to hole for a double-bogey seven on the 18th and clinch a one-shot victory.
-
PGA Tour
Gareth Bale admits to nerves on debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am
The 33-year-old, who announced his retirement from football last month, is a two-handicapper.
-
PGA Tour
Jordan Spieth wants Pebble Beach to become one of PGA Tour’s elevated events
The PGA Tour’s top players have committed to playing against each other at least 20 times a year.
-
PGA Tour
G4D Open is ‘great news’ for golfers with disabilities – Brendan Lawlor
Up to 80 players will contest the inaugural event in May.
-
PGA Tour
It’s been a battle – Rory McIlroy delighted to pip rival Patrick Reed in Dubai
The Northern Irishman birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish a shot ahead of Reed on 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy holds off rival Patrick Reed with birdie on 18 to seal Dubai win
McIlroy birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy leads by three in bid to win his third Dubai Desert Classic title
England’s Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury are McIlroy’s closest challengers heading into the final round.
-
LPGA Tour
Golf bid to increase diversity in sport improving but still has ‘long way to go’
Nicola Bennett is an ambassador for the Golf Foundation, helping to drive grassroots campaigns.
-
PGA Tour
Richard Bland boasts share of lead at halfway stage in Dubai Desert Classic
The 49-year-old returned to complete his second round on Saturday morning, carding three more birdies and a solitary bogey in his remaining 14 holes.