Thomas Pieters holds his nerve to claim Czech Masters

Sport360 staff 07:46 31/08/2015
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  • Champion: Thomas Pieters.

    Thomas Pieters, considered by many as one of the future stars of the game, emhanced his reputation on Sunday when he won the Czech Masters title by three shots.

    The 23-year-old Belgian recovered from a double bogey on his front nine to card a three-under par 69 and finish the week on 20-under, with Sweden’s Pelle Edberg in second at 17-under par.

    Former US Amateur champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who began his final round with four consecutive birdies, finished a shot further back on 16-under.

    Robert Dinwiddie mixed five birdies with three bogeys to finish in fourth place on 14-under par, three shots clear of Renato Paratore, Roope Kakko and Thorbjørn Olesen on 11-under.

    Pieters, who took a one stroke lead into the final day, picked up a shot at the par five first before a double bogey at the short third saw him lose his lead.

    He recovered from that setback with gains at the ninth and tenth to join Edberg in a share of the lead on 18-under par. And with Edberg bogeying the 11th, a par at the same hole was enough to see Pieters take the outright lead.

    He then rolled in from 10 feet for a birdie at the 13th before another gain at the last saw him close out for his maiden win as a professional.

    He said: “To be a European Tour winner is an amazing feeling right now. I’m happy to have my family with me and I’m very proud of the way I played today, especially after that early double. I tried to stay patient today and I think I did a really good job.

    “I was very nervous coming down the stretch to be honest. That just goes away the more you are in contention, and I’m looking forward to doing it again.”

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