Success at last for Frittelli in Austria
SOUTH African Dylan Frittelli claimed his maiden European Tour title after producing a finalround 67 at the Lyoness Open.
The Challenge Tour graduate carded six birdies and a single bogey yesterday to get to 12-under par and finish one shot clear of nearest challengers Mikko Korhonen, David Horsey and Jbe Kruger.
Austria has proved a happy hunting ground for Frittelli, 27, who won his first Challenge Tour event here four years ago at the Kärnten Golf Open.
And after suffering playoff heartbreak in the Volvo China Open in April, he now has a European Tour title to his name.
Frittelli began the day on seven under, two shots behind overnight leader Felipe Aguilar, who had led after each of the opening three rounds. But Fritelli made gains at the first and third to grab a share of the lead.
He tapped in his close-range birdie putt at the fourth to take the outright lead before safely parring the next four holes.
Frittelli was joined at the summit by Finland’s Korhonen after he carded his fourth birdie of the day at the ninth, but the South African knocked in his 15-foot putt at the ninth to get to 11-under and go one shot clear.
And when Korhonen dropped a shot at the tenth, Frittelli was in possession of a two-shot lead.
Frittelli missed an easy put on the tenth, but birdied on the 11th before pulling off a good par save at the 13th.
He dropped his first shot of the day at the short 14th to sacrifice his outright lead and Kruger made back-to-back gains at the 15th and 16th to knock his countryman off the top of the leaderboard altogether.
But Frittelli fired his sixth birdie of the day at the 16th to get back to 12-under before saving par from eight feet at the next.
With Kruger dropping a shot at the last, Frittelli stood at the 18th tee with a one-shot lead, and he knocked in his close-range par putt to secure the trophy.
Frittelli was thrilled to secure his first European Tour crown.
“I’m just elated. I’m really happy with the way the week went, and super stoked to get my first win on the European Tour.
“I think it’s been a long time coming and I am glad to be inside the winner’s circle.”