SPAIN’S Adrian Otaegui produced a brilliant fightback to win his first European Tour title and break German hearts by beating Marcel Siem 2&1 in the final of the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play.
Siem looked to be in command of the contest as he moved three up after just eight holes, but missed crucial short putts on the back nine at Bad Griesbach Golf Resort.
Otaegui, who had not previously been more than one down in any of his first five matches, birdied the 10th to reduce his deficit and won the next with a par after Siem failed to get up and down from short of the green. Siem, who was looking to emulate Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer in winning a European Tour event on home soil, then missed from eight feet for eagle to win the 12th, but made amends with a brilliant approach to two feet on the next.
However, the 37-year-old missed from inside three feet for par on the 14th and was back to all square when he could not match Otaegui’s conceded birdie on the next.
Otaegui took the lead for the first time when Siem missed another putt from inside three feet for the half. The comeback was completed in memorable style when Otaegui holed from 25 feet for birdie on the 17th, ensuring he had not needed to play the 18th hole all week.
“I’m just so happy,” said the 24-year-old, who has been mentored for the early part of his career by double Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal. “I played good golf and Marcel missed a couple of shots but I was very, very focused. I knew I could do it and the way I finished was just the perfect finish of the week.”
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