Pablo Larrazabal wins BMW International Open in Munich
Sunday 28 June 2015 22:48, UK
Pablo Larrazabal clinched the BMW International Open in Munich by one stroke from Henrik Stenson after a sparkling final-round 66.
Larrazabal carded six birdies, five of them on the front nine, to edge away from Swede Stenson as his three on the par-four 16th proved decisive in a tense finish.
Stenson had piled on the pressure with a fourth-round 65, but the clubhouse leader could only look on helplessly as the Spaniard safely negotiated the closing holes to win his fourth European Tour event.
"I knew that I was in a good position, two groups ahead, and I knew that I had to start very fast," the Spaniard told Sky Sports 4. "I had to start with a few birdies in the first holes and I started very well.
"I think I was five under for the front nine and hitting the ball great, as well as I have hit it all year, and my putting was awesome. I made a lot of great putts.
"I had memories from the past - I lost the tournament over there back in 2010, going 19 under par with three to play, and I lost it over there, so I had that in my mind."
England's Chris Paisley, who had started the day two shots behind overnight leader James Morrison, came agonisingly close to a share of second place a further shot behind on 15-under when he left a long putt just short on the 18th, while compatriot David Howell matched Stenson's 65 to end the tournament in a tie for ninth.
Paisley had been in contention to push Larrazabal until a bogey on the 17th left him two shots adrift while Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat (68), Spain's Carlos del Moral (69) and South Africa's Retief Goosen (67) were three strokes behind the Spanish winner in joint-fourth.
Morrison's hopes evaporated as he shot 77 on a day when he did not make a single birdie and suffered five bogeys to slip into a six-way tie for 11th place.
The Surrey professional had been chasing a second tour win in six weeks after claiming the Spanish Open last month.
BMW International Open leaderboard (after final round):
-17 P Larrazabal (Esp)
-16 H Stenson (Swe)
-15 C Paisley (Eng)
-14 K Aphibarnrat (Tha) R Goosen (Rsa), Carlos del Moral (Esp)
-13 P Hanson (Swe) M Hoey (NIr)
