Golf

McGowan wins Italian Open for second European Tour title

English golfer Ross McGowan chipped in from a greenside bunker at No. 16 and rolled in a birdie at the last hole to earn a one-stroke victory at the Italian Open.

AP
Brescia 25 October, 2020 22:54 IST
Golf

McGowan's only other European Tour victory came at the Madrid Masters in 2009.   -  Getty Images/ Representative Image

AP
Brescia 25 October, 2020 22:54 IST

English golfer Ross McGowan chipped in from a greenside bunker at No. 16 and rolled in a birdie at the last hole to earn a one-stroke victory at the Italian Open on Sunday, securing his first title on the European Tour in 11 years.

McGowan struggled to keep his emotions in check after the final round, after seeing playing partner Laurie Canter miss his own birdie putt on the 18th that would have forced a playoff.

McGowan, whose only other European Tour victory came at the Madrid Masters in 2009, shot 1-under 71 to finish on 20 under overall.

Canter, another Englishman, was looking to clinch a wire-to-wire victory but shot even-par 72 — his worst score of the week. He was the only player in the top 20 to not break par on Sunday, and was tied for second place with Nicolas Colsaerts (68).

Gaganjeet Bhullar finishes tied-55th

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar rounded off the week with a second straight even par 72 to finish Tied 55th at the Italian Open golf championship here.

Bhullar hit four birdies and four bogeys in the final round to finish at 7-under 281. His earlier rounds were 68-69-72. S. S. P. Chawrasia, the other Indian who participated in the competition, missed the cut on Friday.