Horsey trebles up at The Russian Open

David Horsey is one of the most under-rated players on the European Tour - as well as being one of the gutsiest and most determined.

 

And the Englishman had to dig deep to win the Russian Open and claim his third European title after a playoff with Ireland's Damien McGrane. Horsey, the joint overnight leader, fell behind but birdied the 15th and chipped in for an eagle at the 17th to take McGrane into extra holes in Moscow.

 

McGrane, who was looking for his first victory in six years, is one of the best putters on the European Tour, but this wasn't to be his day. He had seven birdies in his final round but bogeyed the 18th. At the first extra hole McGrane found a bunker and dropped a shot, while Horsey safely two-putted for a par. It was his fifth top 10 finish in just 16 starts this season.

 

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AFterwards, Horsey said: “I’m relieved really – that’s the word that sums it up. It was quite similar to my last win, in Morocco, where I made a bit of a mess of a couple of holes on the back nine. I didn’t know where I was in the tournament until the 17th. I hit it through the back of the green there and then realised I was three behind and needed to do something drastic quite quickly. I managed to chip in there and was trying to make birdie at the last. I didn’t realise Damien had dropped one, but I managed to get up and down there and was fortunate to win the play-off as well.

 

“I had no idea how well Damien was playing because I wasn’t looking at boards all day. In hind sight that’s probably a mistake I’ll look to correct next time, but I was just trying to stick to my own game and stay focused on myself. I didn’t play that great today – it was a bit scrappy and I wasn’t holing the putts – but I managed to get the job done in the end.

 

“I knew the chip on 17 had to go in. I knew by that point that I was three behind so I needed it to go in. This is a very special win. It’s been a while and it’s been a bit of a bumpy road. I’ve made a few changes in terms of personnel, so I’d like to thank my new coach Mike Walker, Kev Duffy, my strength and conditioning coach who I’ve been working with for the last 18 months. I’ve had my best mate on the bag this week with me – James Westwood. I brought him out for one week only so he’s got a pretty good record on the go now. And I’d like to thank Callaway, who’ve been a big support over the last three years. I’m delighted to get back in the winner’s circle.”

 

Scott Jamieson finished one shot adrift after a 69. Scotland’s Peter Whiteford, who shared the overnight lead, struggled to a three over par 75 for fifth, one shot behind Englishman Sam Hutsby, who moved up to fourth with a 68.

 

McGrane wasn't too unhappy. “I played lovely all week so I’m very pleased with my week," he said. "I’m a little disappointed not to do better in the play-off there, but I’ve hit good shots all week and putted reasonably well. All in all I’m very positive and it’s good for me mentally as well. I can push on for the rest of the season with my card secure. There are a lot of good events before the end of the year and this has given me a lot of confidence going into them.”