Ernie Els carded a three-under 69 to win the BMW International Open by one shot from Thomas Bjorn in Munich overnight. The 43-year-old became the first South African to take victory at the tournament in its 25-year history, going 18-under overall to collect his 28th European Tour title. Els shared the lead with Alexander Levy and Alex Noren going into the final round but three birdies on the front nine moved him into pole position for the main prize. A bogey at the 11th was the only blemish on his card and he wrapped up the victory with a final birdie at 18 to become the oldest winner of the tournament. Dane Bjorn matched Els&apos final round of 69 to grab second, finishing on 17 under, one shot clear of France&aposs Levy, who equalled his best finish on tour in third place with a 71. German Martin Kaymer&aposs 69 ensured he shared fourth position with Swede Noren and Austria&aposs Bernd Wiesberger. Noren carded four bogeys in his round of 72, ending any hope he had of lifting the trophy at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried. Wen-yi Huang produced a fine closing round of seven-under 65, to move him 26 places up the leaderboard in a tie for seventh with South Africa&aposs Darren Fichardt and Spain&aposs Sergio Garcia on 14 under. Sweden&aposs Henrik Stenson, Dutchmen Robert-Jan Derksen and Joost Luiten, German Marcel Siem, South African Brandon Stone and Englishmen John Parry and Paul Waring rounded out the top 10 at 13 under. Reigning champion Danny Willett&aposs chances looked good after a second-round 65 but a 70 on Saturday followed by a 72 on Sunday left the Englishman at 12 under, six shots behind Els.
Author: Omnisport