Otto pulls off Italian job
Hennie Otto surged to a two stroke win in the Italian Open on Sunday.
The South African carded a solid four under 68 final round at the Circolo Golf Torino course, which was enough to leave him on 20 under for the tournament and secure him his third European tour win.
“The last three days have been superb,” the 39-year-old told Sky Sports.
“I came in and struggled a bit on day one, then hit a terrible drive off the first on day two. You wonder then if you’re going to make the cut. Lo and behold, with the way the game is, I’ve played beautifully since then.”
Starting the day in the lead, Otto played safe golf. He finished bogey-less and with four birdies on his way to victory.
England’s David Howell surged up the leaderboard with a scintillating final round 63 that included an eagle and seven birdies. He would finish on his own in second place, one stroke ahead of Stephen Gallacher.
While he carded a superb seven under 65 to finish alone in third, he needed a runner-up finish to secure his place in the European Ryder Cup team. However, he could still be one of Captain Paul McGinley’s wildcard picks.
“It was a tall order but I am proud of myself the way I have played,” said the Scot
“I’m delighted with 17 under, it looks just a little short but there is nothing I can do. When it comes down to someone else’s opinion…I wanted to qualify myself just to take that away. There are four or five guys that are worthy (of a wild card) so it’s just what Paul sees.”
Meanwhile, fellow Brit Howell supports this notion.
“I really hope Stephen gets a pick because he would make a fantastic Ryder Cup player,” said the Englishman.
“It was a supreme effort and if a captain needs an example of a player in form who can play under pressure he has had it this weekend.”
Latest
-
PGA TourJT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European TourRyan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.
-
NewsDefiant Lee Westwood does not believe playing in LIV should harm Ryder Cup hopes
Westwood doesn’t agree with penalties and sanctions.
-
NewsShane Lowry welcomes closer ties between Tours in response to threat from LIV
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced the next phase of their strategic alliance.
-
NewsPadraig Harrington fears LIV series poses threat to future of DP World Tour
The US Senior Open champion thinks there is only room for the PGA and one other tour in the world game.
-
NewsSteve Stricker makes Padraig Harrington sweat as Irishman wins US Senior Open
The pair were rival captains in last year’s Ryder Cup in Wisconsin.
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.