Bjorn's stocks continue to rise
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2011 Omega European Masters | Wrap | 05 Sep 2011
Thomas Bjorn today won his 13th European Tour title, his third of 2011 and his second in succession when he came from behind to win the Omega European Masters in Crans sur Sierre.
Bjorn started the year in 127th position in the world ranking but leading into this week had moved to 59th and, given the strength in this field, he is now assured of a place well inside the top 50 when the revised rankings are published later today.
Just seven days after winning the Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland, Bjorn produced a superb final round of 62 over the spectacular layout high above the Rhone Valley, a great finishing burst edging him clear of what had been, to that point, a tight final round contest.
The 40 year old birdied the 14th, eagled the 15th, and birdied the final two holes to eventually win by four over Martin Kaymer, the German left in the Dane’s wake over the closing stages.
Kaymer, too had produced his own heroics early in his round when he eagled the first then holed a 20 foot eagle putt at the reachable par four 5th. He still led through 14 holes but was unable to respond to Bjorn’s brilliance over the closing holes.
54 hole leader, Jamie Donaldson, was one shot further back in third position along with Rory McIlory and South Africa’s Jaco Van Zyl.
Donaldson still shared the lead with just a few holes to play but he too could only stand and watch from behind as Bjorn reeled off his great stretch of holes.
Lee Westwood finished in a share of 6th.
The leading Australasian was New Zealander Michael Campbell who recorded his second best finish of the year when 25th.
The only other Australasians to make the cut were Mark Brown who finished 61st and Brett Rumford 65th.
The European Tour now moves to Hilversum in the Netherlands for this coming week’s KLM Open.
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