Fernandez-Castano defeats Brier in Italy
IN: News | European PGA | Telecom Italia Open (2007) | by Bruce Young | 07 May 2007
A final round of 65 that included stunning last nine holes of 30 has seen the 26-year-old Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano sweep to his third European Tour title following on from his 2005 KLM Open and 2006 BMW Asian Open victories.
In a rain shortened 54-hole Telecom Italia Open in Milan, Fernandez-Castano defeated the in form Austrian, Markus Brier, in a playoff to win at the second extra hole. As Fernandez Castano finished his round more than an hour ahead of the final group, it appeared as if Nick Dougherty would finally win again on the European Tour. The Englishman was however unable to capitalise on what had been a hot start to the round. He led by three at one stage but began to struggle over the closing nine holes dropping two shots to finish one shot out of the playoff.
Brier on the other hand made a last minute bid for victory with birdies at the 16th and 17th to join Fernandez-Castano in the lead. He was unable to secure the birdie at the last to win outright and succumbed to a birdie by the winner at the second hole of the playoff. Brier though can only be excited by the significant run of form he is enjoying. He has been 1st, 5th and runner up in his last three starts on the European Tour and is already ahead of his own monetary record he set last year during a season where he won his own national open in Austria. The recent win came at the Volvo China Open.
Swede, Frederik Andersson Hed rallied late in his round to record a back nine of 31 and move into a share of third with Dougherty, Henrik Nystrom and the defending champion Fransesco Molinari who was quite brilliant in his attempt to defend his own national open. He too was home in 31 to all but force a place in the playoff. Still, his week continues what has been a remarkable run in Italian golf with Silvia Cavalleri winning on the LPGA Tour last week and Edorado Molinari leading the Challenge Tour.
The best of the Australians was Marcus Fraser who had by far his best tournament since finishing runner up at the New Zealand Open when 7th this week. Brett Rumford was 30th, Andrew Tampion 56th and Steve Alker 65th.
The European Tour is back in Spain next week for the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia.
