Todd Clements finishes on 22 under and a shot clear of Matt Wallace, with Nicolai Hojgaard four strokes back in third and Robert MacIntyre in a share of fourth; final event of Ryder Cup qualifying is the Omega European Masters, beginning on Thursday
Sunday 27 August 2023 18:41, UK
Todd Clements secured a maiden DP World Tour title after holding off a host of Ryder Cup hopefuls to claim a dramatic one-shot victory at the D+D Real Czech Masters.
Clements overturned a three-stroke deficit during a thrilling final round at Albatross Golf Resort in Prague, where he charged into contention with six birdies in his opening eight holes.
The Englishman added three straight birdies from the 11th to raises hopes of a '59 round', only to par each of his last five holes to close a bogey-free 63 and set the clubhouse target at 22 under.
Matt Wallace made a late victory push when he moved within one of the lead with four holes to play, but he was unable to find a birdie over the closing stretch and finished a shot back in second.
"Given the circumstances that's got to be the best round of my life," a delighted Clements said. "I'm over the moon. I've dreamt about winning for a long time and with my birthday coming up on Tuesday I couldn't be happier.
"Three shots to make up is a tough ask but I knew I was playing well enough to get in amongst it. I feel like I did my job on every shot and obviously the luck was with me today because I holed a few long ones."
Wallace held a share of the lead going into the final day and followed three birdies in his first eighth holes by taking advantage of the par-five 12th and picking up a shot at the 14th, although missed an eight-foot birdie chance at the last to force a play-off.
Nicolai Hojgaard finished four strokes back in third and Robert MacIntyre retained his place in the final automatic Ryder Cup qualification spot by claiming a share of fourth, with potential Team Europe debutant Ludvig Aberg also in the large group on 17 under.
The DP World Tour heads to Switzerland next for the Omega European Masters, held at Crans-sur-Sierre GC, with the tournament also serving as the last qualifying event in the race to qualify for Europe's Ryder Cup team.
MacIntyre is one of six players still in the running to join Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy in qualifying via the European Points List, with Yannik Paul, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, Rasmus Hojgaard and Adrian Otaegui still able to overhaul him with at least a top-three finish.
Live coverage begins on Thursday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the DP World Tour and more for £26 a month for 12 months with NOW.
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