Renato Paratore secures British Masters title by three shots

Italy’s Renato Paratore missed out on a place in the history books but ensured his name will be etched on the Betfred British Masters trophy with an almost flawless display.
The 23-year-old had been aiming to become the first player to win a European Tour event without making a single bogey since Jesper Parnevik at the 1995 Scandinavian Masters.
But although his brilliant run of error-free golf finally came to an end on his
63rd hole of the week, the par-three ninth, a final round of 68 in testing conditions at Close House saw him finish 18 under par, three shots ahead of Danish teenager Rasmus Hojgaard.
Vamos Renato Paratore! 🇮🇹
The 23-year-old Italian seals his second @EuropeanTour win at the British Masters. pic.twitter.com/j4ntmutQ3u
— GOLFTV (@GOLFTV) July 25, 2020
Paratore’s one-shot overnight lead was wiped out by playing partner Justin Harding’s birdie on the third, but the South African then completely mishit his tee shot on the next and came up 30 yards short of the green, from where he was unable to save par.
Paratore had three-putted the short third for par after a lucky bounce from
thick rough saw his drive find the green, but he bounced back to hole from 20
feet on the fourth and extend his lead to two shots.
Harding, who finished 12th on his Masters debut at Augusta National last year,
swiftly reduced the deficit with a birdie on the fifth, only to miss from two feet to match Paratore’s birdie on the par-five seventh.
15 under par and second place. Another great week for 19 year old Rasmus Højgaard.#BetfredBritishMasters #GolfForGood pic.twitter.com/HbSiJ1qGQ6
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 25, 2020
Paratore’s first blemish came on the difficult ninth, where tournament host Lee Westwood had earlier run up a quintuple-bogey eight, but he produced the perfect response to birdie the next to briefly move three shots clear.
Another bogey on the 11th gave the chasing pack hope, but they were unable to apply any pressure and Paratore made certain of victory with a birdie on the par-five 17th.
Harding finished alone in third after a closing 72, with the English trio of Andy Sullivan, Robert Rock and Dale Whitnell sharing fourth place on 13 under.
Latest
-
News
Butch Harmon says Rory McIlroy ‘needs to go back to the basic fundamentals’
McIlroy has employed another renowned golf guru in Pete Cowen to help him iron out the flaws in his game.
-
News
Masters debutant Joe Long savouring Augusta experience after surfing scare
The Amateur Championship winner suffered a torn muscle while surfing in Cape Town.
-
News
Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy fighting for form ahead of Masters return
Johnson is the defending champion.
-
News
The main talking points ahead of the Masters at Augusta National
Rory McIlroy faces an uphill task to complete a career grand slam after a loss of form.
-
News
‘Investigation concluded’ into the cause of Tiger Woods’ car crash
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the details could not yet be released.
-
News
Resurgent Jordan Spieth feeling confident ahead of Masters challenge
For those not qualified, the Valero Texas Open is the last way to get into the Masters.
-
News
American Nelly Korda taking ‘relaxed’ approach into first major of the season
Korda finished joint runner-up at Mission Hills Country Club last year.
-
News
WATCH: Robert MacIntyre in seventh heaven after securing Masters invite
The young Scot admits he thought it would probably never happen.
-
News
Billy Horschel claims all-American final against Scottie Scheffler in Austin
Scheffler had plenty of crowd support as a native Texan and drew first blood at the Austin Country Club.
-
News
Colin Montgomerie criticises slow play as Horschel and Scheffler reach final
It took Scottie Scheffler and Matt Kuchar four hours and eight minutes to complete their match.