Levy edges Fisher in European Open play-off

September 26, 2016 | 09:17

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BAD GRIESBACH IM ROTTAL, Germany: France's Alexander Levy edged Ross Fisher in a tense play-off to secure the European Open title at Bad Griesbach in Germany on Sunday.

France's Alexander Levy tees-off during the European Open title at Bad Griesbach in Germany. (AFP/Armin Weigel)

Levy led the field by four shots at 17 under going into the third and final round of an event dogged by disruption due to fog and curtailed to 54 holes.

Sweden's Michael Jonzon led the chasing pack but it was Fisher, one shot further off the pace in third, who emerged as Levy's greatest danger.

Fisher picked up four birdies on the front nine as Levy, for the first time this week, dropped shots at the first five holes.

California-born Levy led his playing partner by one shot standing on the final tee, but a closing bogey forced a play-off.

The pair went back to the 18th tee and after both parred the hole Levy produced an 18-foot birdie putt at the second attempt to seal his third European Tour event.

Levy had previously won at the China Open and Portugal Masters in 2014.

"It's unbelievable," said the 26-year-old. "On the 18th putt I saw the line and I said to my caddy, 'I've got it'. I felt good, I felt the speed and I putted it very quickly.

"It's too good to have this feeling after two years of no wins."

"Hats off to Alex," remarked Fisher. "It's always going to be tough against a great player like him.

"I felt like I played pretty flawless on the front side, kept it going on the back. All you can do is hit good putts, I didn't leave one short today which is a positive sign."

Levy had missed his first three cuts of the season and then had two spells on the sidelines due to injury but has been in fine form since his return at the start of the month, finishing in a tie for seventh at last week's Italian Open.

Jonzon and his fellow Swede Robert Karlsson shared third, three shots behind, with Austrian Bernd Wiesberger next and in sixth Martin Kaymer, the German who next week stars for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National.

AFP

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