Bernd Wiesberger won the biggest title of his career at the Open de France on Sunday, producing a mid-round birdie barrage that blew apart a top-class field.
The 29-year-old Austrian started the last 18 at Le Golf National alone in third, three shots adrift of leader Jaco van Zyl.
A quiet start was followed by an hour’s suspension of play due to thunderstorm activity and when Wiesberger resumed, sparks began to fly.
Photo: AP
Five birdies in six holes from the fourth propelled him to a four-hole lead over the field going around the turn and he never looked like he would be caught after that.
He punched the air in triumph when a 15-foot birdie putt went in at the last to give him a 13-under total of 271, three strokes clear of England’s James Morrison, who took second after a 67.
It was the third European Tour title of his career, the two others both coming in 2012, and it sets him up nicely for a crack at the British Open in St Andrews in two weeks.
Two shots further back in third came South African Van Zyl, who had taken a two-stroke lead into the final round, but could only manage a 73.
Former world No. 1 Martin Kaymer of Germany placed fourth after a 70 left him six shots adrift of Wiesberger, with Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello in fifth two further shots back.
Wiesberger’s win came as no huge surprise to many on the circuit, as he has been one of the most consistent performers on the European Tour over the last year and had four top-five finishes this season.
He played in the Masters earlier this year and tied for 22nd, but failed to make the cut at last month’s US Open.
“Well, I just hit a great shot down the fourth before the [thunderstorm suspension] horns were blowing and they took us off the course,” he said.
“I liked my yardage and had a good shot in there and had some momentum building, chipped in, held a long putt,” he said.
“I felt really comfortable out there. Had a great weekend, only one bogey, 66, 65, that’s not a bad score,” Wiesberger said.
Morrison, who won the Open de Espana earlier this year, said that all credit was due to Wiesberger for not allowing any of the chasing pack to really challenge him down the closing stretch.
“Bernd played too perfect today. He won the golf tournament today, simple as that. He played fantastic,” he said.
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