Graeme McDowell clinched the Open de France title with a fantastic final round of 67 at Le Golf National on Sunday. The Northern Irishman finished the tournament nine-under par after his fourth round, four shots ahead of Richard Sterne – with whom he had shared the lead going into the last day. The duo were paired for their final round in Paris, and both went into the 11th hole level at eight under par. However, McDowell pulled ahead on the 12th as Sterne found the rough, and would only go on to increase his lead on the way to winning. The South African subsequently made a bogey at the 16th and 17th holes before making par on the last, while McDowell showed nerves of steel to sandwich a birdie with two par scores over the same run. And the ease with which he navigated the 18th – a hole that has caused plenty of problems for competitors over the last week – only emphasised his dominance on the last day. “It&aposs been a funny year because my game hasn&apost felt far away most weeks,” McDowell said after clinching the crown. “But I&aposve missed a lot of cuts and missing cuts hurts. That has certainly motivated me a lot these last few weeks.” McDowell has moved second in the European Tour money rankings with victory, ahead of Matteo Manassero and just behind Justin Rose. Australia&aposs Richard Green finished in a tie for sixth – his best European Tour finish since the 2011 Irish Open. 33-year-old McDowell&aposs win comes off the back of his success at the 2013 World Match Play Championship in May.
Author: Omnisport