Siem wins but Michael Campbell impresses
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2012 Alstom Open de France | Wrap | 09 Jul 2012
Germany’s Marcel Siem has held off a brilliant last day challenge from Italian Francesco Molinari to win his second European Tour title but by far his most significant with a one shot victory at the Alstom Open de France at the Golf National near Paris.
The 31 year old, whose previous European win came at the Dunhill Championship in 2004, began the final round two behind overnight leaders Anders Hansen and David Howell but when both leaders began shakily the door opened for not only Siem but for several others also.
Ian Poulter was one who appeared as if he might take the title when he moved to 6 under with three birdies during his front nine and at that point had a share of the lead. Poulter remained a factor until bogeys at his final two holes saw him eventually finish in a share of 4th position.
Siem hardly put a foot wrong throughout his round, taking the lead when he birdied the par five 9th but challenges began to emerge from Henrik Stenson and Molinari.
Stenson, who has been slowly but surely working his way back to the sort of form that saw him as one of the game’s leading players two years ago, began the day one off the pace but his real bid for the lead came with four birdies in seven holes through the back nine to move to 7 under.
Playing with Siem, Stenson was tied with Molinari and two behind Siem playing the final hole but a triple bogey there cost the Swede any hope and despite a bogey at his final hole Siem had won by one over Molinari whose final round of 64 was the best of the day by three shots.
The performance of the week from the Australasian contingent came from Michael Campbell who has been to hell and back with his game over the past three years but by finishing in a share of 11th this week produced his best finish in more than three years on the European Tour.
Campbell’s final round of 67 was bettered by only the 64 of Molinari.
