Drama on the 18th green as Hamburg title gives Mcevoy victories in successive weeks
Richard Mcevoy claimed his maiden European Tour title after a dramatic finish to the Porsche European Open in Hamburg.
The 39-year-old sank a 20-foot putt for birdie on the final hole to secure a one-shot victory ahead of Renato Paratore, Christofer Blomstrand and German amateur Allen John.
Mcevoy had started the final day in a share of the lead with Bryson Dechambeau but the American fell out of contention with successive bogeys late in his round.
His victory makes Mcevoy the first player this season to win on the Challenge Tour and European Tour in successive weeks after his triumph at the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge last week.
Mcevoy said: “It was a rollercoaster ride big time today. But I fought hard, I believed and even at the last I overpowered my caddie to lay it up and give myself the best opportunity to make birdie and managed to do it.
“I’ve tried to enjoy my golf as much as possible. Not that I haven’t been but I just needed to do that little bit more and it’s just come up proper trumps.”
Mcevoy’s final round of 73, to finish on 11 under par, was far from perfect but proved enough to see off his closest rivals.
Mcevoy and Dechambeau were level through 11 holes and even back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th could not knock his momentum, as Dechambeau’s late collapse kept the Englishman in control.
A bogey on the 17th drew Mcevoy back into a four-way tie for the lead but his nerveless final putt secured an impressive victory.
In contrast Dechambeau twice landed in the water on the final hole, his triple bogey eight dropping him to a share of 13 th place after a six-over 78.
Paratore was closest to forcing a play-off when a superb lay-up on the 18th led to him narrowly missing an eagle.
Local amateur John produced a storming final round of 67, while Blomstrand’s birdie on the 18th was enough to seal his share of second place.