This trophy will change my life
ANDRES ROMERO produced a blistering final-round 65 to grab a surprise victory at the BMW International Open.
The Argentinian – playing on a sponsor’s invitation – notched his first European Tour win for a decade as he finished a shot clear of Masters champion Sergio Garcia.
Romero, who had not won any tournament since a triumph on the US Tour in New Orleans nine years ago, sank five birdies over the last eight holes on the way to his seven-under score and 271 total.
He said: “This is a moment that changes my life. After 10 years, winning on the tour again is great.
“I felt a bit funny on the 18th hole because I have not been in that position for a long time and I looked up at the leaderboard. I was a little nervous but I ended up doing it well.
“I’m very happy I’m going to be here on the European Tour again. I enjoy it here and I want to say thanks to the people at BMW because if it wasn’t for them – they gave me an invite – I wouldn’t have any category now. This is going to be life-changing.”
Garcia, England’s Richard Bland and Belgian Thomas Detry finished in a three-way tie for second on 16 under.
Swede Rikard Karlberg carded 66 for fifth at 14 under, one stroke ahead of England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who finished with an eagle for a 67.
Spaniard Garcia, in his first appearance in Europe since his first Major triumph in April, started yesterday joint leader along with Bland.
Despite a rocky start with a bogey at the first, Garcia upped his game and hit a fine second shot on the third to rejoin the lead.
Yet Romero birdied the eighth and ninth holes to work his way into contention and launch his extraordinary finish of seven birdies.
Garcia said: “It was a good week and I felt like I played well enough to win for sure. There were a couple of missed putts here and there today and some really good putts that didn’t want to go in.
“So it was difficult to get anything going. And that chip on 18 looked pretty good but just missed on the right.”
Scotland’s Scott Henry slipped back to 12th on 278 after a 71.