Lagergren opens tour account

Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren clinched a dramatic first victory on the European Tour by beating France’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera in a play-off at the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open.

Lagergren birdied the first extra hole at Verdura Golf Club after he and overnight leader Lorenzo-Vera had finished tied on 16 under par.

Australia’s Lucas Herbert carded a closing 63 to finish a shot behind alongside England’s Andy Sullivan, with Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard another stroke adrift.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole career,” said Lagergren, who recorded four birdies and a solitary bogey in a final round of 68.

“I’m so relieved and I’m so happy at the moment, I can’t describe it in words.

“I’ve just been fighting so hard to get to here, it’s just awesome.

“When you’re just missing out a few times you really want to get that first win and it feels like you really need to get over that first step to then really continue and get more and more. This is a big step for me.”

Lorenzo-Vera began the day with a two-shot lead but could only card a closing 70 to record his second consecutive runners-up finish after losing out in the final of GolfSixes alongside Romain Wattel last week.

Lorenzo-Vera said. “It was the kind of day where I was a bit far from the pins so it was hard to score low for me. He took his chance better than me.

“I gave it a go, I tried my best, he did it better than me.

“Now I’m just going to have to work more to be able to finish the job.”