Matt the master a match for Seve
FITZPATRICK: Fifth title MATT FITZPATRICK beat Lucas Bjerregaard in a play-off to become the first man in 40 years to successfully defend the title at the Omega European Masters.
The Englishman had entered the final round with a two-shot lead, but Dane Bjerregaard hit a seven-under-par 63 to set a target of 17-under overall.
Fitzpatrick holed a birdie at the 18th to finish the final round on three under and take it to extra holes.
Another birdie at the same hole ensured he became the first player since Seve Ballesteros in 1978 to secure back-to-back titles at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland.
“This is what I wanted to achieve this season – another win,” said Fitzpatrick.
“To get it here again is so special and to get my fifth is amazing. I love this place.
“Of all my wins, that was the most difficult. I didn’t have my A game today; despite loving this place I just didn’t play my best. I managed to grind it out, made some crucial birdies and I’m delighted.”
At 24 years and eight days old, Fitzpatrick becomes the youngest Englishman to achieve five European Tour wins, lifting a title every season since coming through qualifying school in 2014.
Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera finished third on 15 under, ahead of Spaniard Nacho Elvira and England’s Daniel Brooks.
And Fitzpatrick has no issues with being left out of the Ryder Cup.
European skipper Thomas Bjorn opted to go with experience for his four wild cards, picking Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia, so Fitzpatrick will have to wait to add to his 2016 appearance.
Asked if he had any regrets at missing out, he said: “Not at all.
“I didn’t play well enough this summer, it’s as simple as that.” SERENA WILLIAMS sparked a huge sexism row after saying umpire Carlos Ramos would not have been so hard on a man following her US Open meltdown.
And the American was backed by tennis legend Billie Jean King, who praised her for standing up as the Flushing Meadows fallout continued.
Amid incredible scenes on the Arthur Ashe court during Saturday’s final, Williams was given three code violations as she launched a furious tirade at Portuguese umpire Ramos, branding him a “thief” and a “liar” during her stormy defeat by Japan’s Naomi Osaka.
The 36-year-old Williams had a point and a game deduction in her 6-2, 6-4 loss as she failed in her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam.
Her first warning came for coaching, then she was docked a point for smashing her racket and it was the abuse directed at the official that led to the game deduction. It also cost her £13,000 in fines – although that pales in comparison to the £1.4million prize money she picked up as runner-up.
She highlighted Alize Cornet being penalised for changing her shirt on court earlier in the US Open as another example of sexism and said later: “For me to say ‘thief’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark. I’ve seen men call umpires several things. He has never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief ’.
“It blows my mind but I’m going to continue to fight for women and to fight for us to have equal rights – Alize Cornet should be able to take off her shirt without getting a fine.
“It is outrageous. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for equality. I just feel like the fact I have to go through this is an example for the next person that has emotions and wants to express themselves and wants to be a strong woman. Maybe it
GREATEST MELTDOWNS IN TENNIS – PAGE 21