The UK’s Nick Dougherty held off a rampaging Rafa Echenique of Argentina to win the BMW International Open title on Sunday, his third on the European Tour.
Dougherty produced a blistering finale, an eight-under-par 64 for a 22-under-par 266 four-round total. That left him a stroke better than Echenique, whose albatross on 18 saw him home in 27 strokes for a magnificent 62.
A huge crowd had turned up in hope of seeing their home favorite, 51-year-old Bernhard Langer, become the oldest winner on the European Tour.
But they were disappointed, as was the leader for the first three rounds, South African double US Open champion Retief Goosen (71), who had to settle for third place, four behind Dougherty on 270. Langer slipped to 273 after a closing 72.
Starting the day three strokes behind Goosen, Dougherty quickly caught up with three opening birdies. When Goosen bogeyed the fourth, Dougherty led on his own.
While Goosen’s eagle on the ninth briefly put him level with Dougherty, the 27-year-old Englishman took control by picking up four shots in six holes after the turn.
With Goosen faltering and Langer unable to find his best form, Echenique, rifling in a three-iron approach from 243m on the final hole, put Dougherty under pressure in the end.
As well as a US$392,000 check, Dougherty’s victory earned him a start in next month’s British Open at Turnberry by way of a separate money-list for the major that began early last month.
Neither Echenique’s nine-under 27, which would have equaled the tour’s best for nine holes, nor his 62, which would have equaled the course record, counted because preferred-lies were in operation.
A closing bogey left Langer, lying second overnight, only tied ninth place.
While he returns to the Champions Tour, on which he has won seven times, Langer vowed to make his 20th attempt at winning the BMW title next year at the age of 52.
■TRAVELERS
AFP, CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT
American Kenny Perry won the Travelers Championship in record fashion on Sunday, rallying against a strong field to collect his 14th career PGA victory.
Perry, who has won 11 titles since turning 40, cruised to a seven-under 63 in the fourth round to win the US$6 million event by three strokes.
It was also his first win since losing at Augusta in a playoff to Angel Cabrera.
“Everyone kind of asks about the Augusta hangover,” said Perry who had a bogey-bogey finish at the Masters. “I guess I kind of shoved that aside a little bit. So that makes me feel pretty good.”
The 48-year-old vaulted past countryman Paul Goydos in the final round to finish with a tournament record 22-under 258 total at the River Highlands course.
Notah Begay held the previous record of 260, which he set in 2000.
Third-round leader Goydos (67) shared second place with David Toms (65) at 19-under 261.
Perry hopes this is a sign of bigger and better things ahead for him this year.
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