×

Top Links:

Get A Golf Handicap

UK Golf Guide

Golfshake Top 100s

Find Golf Travel Deals

Golf Competitions

Search

Community Forum

Course:

Tee Times | Search | Reviews

News:

Gear | Tour | Industry Insider

Tuition:

Video Library | Tuition Sections

Community:

Join | Log In | Help | Useful Links

×

Wrap-Up: Brilliant Bjorn sublime in Switzerland

By: Nick Bonfield | Tue 10 Sep 2013


bjorn omegaThomas Bjorn defeated Craig Lee in a play-off at the Omega European Masters after both players finished 72 holes at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club on 20-under-par.

Bjorn has now moved to the head of the 2014 European Ryder Cup Points List after securing a 20th professional victory in a career spanning 20 years.

Bjorn - who won this title in 2011 for a third victory of the season - started with a five-under-par round to trail India's Anirban Lahiri by three shots, but a second consecutive 66 saw him complete two rounds in a tie for the lead with Scotland's Stephen Gallacher.

The Dane compiled a solid third-round 67, but Lee garnered all the attention after moving first with a pulsating Saturday performance.

The Scot, winless thus far on the European Tour, birdied his first six holes and added birdies at eight and nine to turn in record-equalling 28.

He added another at the 10th, and a lone bogey at 12 was offset with back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14 to move Lee to 10 under for the round. Sadly, he couldn't find two more for the European Tour's first 59, but a 61 saw him take a two-shot lead into Sunday.

Bjorn had moved into a two-shot lead by the turn, but the Scot rallied with three birdies in four holes, leaving the pair tied on 20-under-par with three holes to play.

They both parred home, with Lee's birdie effort on the 72nd hole agonisingly lipping out, and headed back to the 18th tee to start the play-off.

Both players hit fine approaches, but Bjorn confidently knocked in a 12-footer after Lee had missed to secure a first title in two years.

Talking points:

Crans-sur-Sierre

The Omega European Masters is one of the stand-out tournaments of the year, and more often than not, it produces great drama and excitement. But why? Crans-sur-Sierre is an incredible golf course with some spectacular scenery, an attraction in its own right. Not only that, the course is expertly designed, with a brilliant mix of holes and a number of risk/reward chances that facilitate excitement for the viewer and exhilaration for the player. In Europe, we have so many breathtaking golf courses filled with character and a selection of truly unique holes. Let's start using these layouts, instead of drab parkland courses that are seemingly commonplace on the European Tour. That's one way to raise the profile of the tour and capture the imagination of those players not taking part.

Tom Lewis - road to recovery?

It was encouraging to see Tom Lewis finish inside the top 15 in Switzerland, despite an untimely double bogey at the 72nd hole. That result was his first top 15 of the season and his best full-field result since the Sicilian Open in April 2012. It's been a huge struggle for the promising Englishman since he was bestowed the accolade of European Tour Rookie of the Year in 2011, following victory in just his fifth professional start. Still, highs and lows are synonymous with the life of a professional golfer, and it could be ultimately beneficial that Lewis has experienced this reality so soon after turning professional. Yes, it's been difficult, but he'll have grown through the tough times and be better off for the experience. Hopefully, two top 17s in his last three starts signify a change in fortunes for Lewis, who still needs a strong finish to the season to keep his tour card.


Related Articles

Thomas Björn - In the Bag

Wrap-Up: Awesome Americans regain Walker Cup

 


Be part of the action with a selection of unique golf tournament experiences, from playing in a pro-am with the stars to watching the action at golf’s most illustrious events. Whether it’s the Masters or The Open, The Ryder Cup or WM Phoenix Open, build your own bespoke package with the experts at Golfbreaks.com.


What do you think? post your thoughts and feedback on the Golfshake Forum: https://forum.golfshake.com/




Scroll to top