Impressive Lee denied by Bjorn-again Dane
THOMAS BJORN denied Scotsman Craig Lee a first European Tour title when he capped a superb final day with victory on the first playoff hole in the Omega European Masters at Cranssur-Sierre.
Following a delay because of fog, which would later hold up the golfers on the closing few holes, Bjorn — whose last Tour victory c a me in the Switzerland tournament two years ago — began with a birdie on the parfive first.
The Dane picked up three more ahead of a two on the parthree ninth, which saw him leapfrog overnight leader Lee to head into the turn at 19 under with a twostroke advantage.
However, Lee — who had held a twoshot cushion after carding a stunning 61 on Saturday — fought back with birdies at 12, 14 and the 15th.
As the conditions again turned, with a further delay for the final group approaching the 18th, Lee was agonisingly close to sinking a birdie for the championship, which would be decided on a playoff as both men finished the regulation 72 holes locked at 20underpar.
Lee, the 36yearold from Stirling, recovered after a poor tee shot at the first extra hole to make par. However, t hat presented an opportunity for Bjorn, which the experienced Dane rolled in from 12 feet at the first time of asking.
Bjorn’s victory was reward for the 42year old’s consistency throughout the competition, with just two bogeys in his final card of 264.
‘It was nice,’ Bjorn said.
‘ I had a really good run through the summer and did not really get close enough.
‘I had to grit my teeth for a while and I really wanted to get out and try to win a golf tournament again.
‘I came in this week not playing particularly great, but promised myself I would stick to how I play this golf course. ‘I did that and had two bogeys in 72 holes, which is good going a round here. I felt good and I got over the line. It was nice to do that in a playoff.
‘I have had a hard time dealing with pressure situations and there is no more pressure than that.’
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson saw his challenge hit by two costly bogeys at the start of the back nine, and had to be content with third place — just a shot adrift of forcing a threeman playoff.
Spain’s Alejandro Canizares — who had opened the day with an eagle three — was fourth on 18under.
There was also a frustrating end to the day for England’s Ross Fisher. He began the day with an eagle on the first, but dropped shots on 11 and 16 to finish in a tie with Miguel Angel Jimenez, whose three birdies over the closing four holes brought t he veteran Spaniard to 15 under.