Italy’s Andrea Pavan won the BMW International Open after beating Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off at Golfclub München Eichenwried in Germany.
Pavan, who led after the first round in Munich on Thursday, started the final day four strokes behind 54-hole leader Jordan Smith, but carded a six-under-par 66 to reach 15 under, and was left facing a nervous wait as four groups were still to finish their rounds.
Fitzpatrick, who started the day one behind Smith, recovered from a bogey on the 17th hole with a birdie on the final hole to force a play-off after a closing 69.
After matching pars at the first extra hole, Fitzpatrick found a greenside bunker with his second shot on the par-five 18th, while Pavan found trouble in the rough after opting to lay-up. The Italian then struck a superb wedge from 135 yards to two feet, with Fitzpatrick chipping on from the bunker and making par after two putts, leaving Pavan with a tap-in for birdie and his second European Tour victory in the space of a year, after his Czech Masters triumph last August.
Seven players, including defending champion Matt Wallace, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Edoardo Molinari shared third place on 13 under par. Wallace cemented his place at the top of the Race to Dubai ranking courtesy of his fourth top-three finish of the season, which came on the back of a 12th placed finish at the US Open, which took him above American Kevin Kisner.
Pavan, who moved up to 32nd in the Race to Dubai rankings after picking up the €333,330 first prize, said: “I thought I had a chance starting the day, as I knew I was playing very well coming into the week. My driver wasn’t behaving so well, but I hit a strong 3-wood and a good 2-iron so I managed to find away around the course. It’s been an amazing week. I saw the picture in the clubhouse of all the past winners, and it’s amazing to be adding my name to this trophy.”
Fitzpatrick, who was playing in only his third European Tour event of the season outside of the Majors and WGCs, said: “I’m obviously disappointed. I had a bit of a look at the first play-off hole, but it’s just been a tough season so far, really – not holing enough putts. It’s been a good week overall, but I’m disappointed not to have finished it off.”
ANDRE PAVAN’s WINNING CLUBS
Driver: Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero 9º
Fairways: Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero 13,5º
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro ’19 2-iron ; Callaway X-Forged ’18, 3-PW.
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy Forged 52°; Callaway Mack Daddy 4 58º
Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro V-Line
Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X