Ludvig Aberg claimed a maiden victory in only his second DP World Tour event as a professional courtesy of a stunning finish at the Omega European Masters.
The former world amateur No 1 confirmed his status as one of golf’s rising stars with a closing 64 at Crans-sur-Sierre to deny Matt Fitzpatrick a hat-trick of titles in the Swiss mountains.
Sweden’s Aberg birdied his four of his last five holes to finish on 19 under for the week, two ahead of Sweden’s Alexander Björk, with long-time leader Fitzpatrick eventually finishing in a tie for third with Scotland’s Connor Syme after a bogey at the 18th.
The 29-year-old former US Open winner could at least console himself with a place on Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team after taking the last spot via the world points list, with Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre guaranteeing a debut in Rome by claiming the last remaining European points list place.
After a bogey at the first left him three off the pace, the 23-year-old rolled in a 14-footer for birdie on the 5th.
A tee shot to five feet at the 8th and a delicate up-and-down on the 9th saw Aberg turn in 33, although he still had work to do to catch overnight leader Fitzpatrick at that stage.
Four successive pars on the inward nine looked to have ended his chances, but Aberg had other ideas as he cashed in on the back-to-back par-five 14th and 15th, rolled in a 15 footer on the 16th and stiffed his approach to tap-in range at the 17th.
He might have had another birdie on the daunting 18th but came up a touch shy with his putt from 13 feet.
“I don’t even know where to start, it’s a pretty surreal feeling to be honest,” Aberg said. “Obviously super, super happy.
“I’ve always had that belief that I’ve been able to do it, but to do it is pretty cool.
“I made a nice six, seven footer on 14 and that was a big moment for me. I needed to take care of the par fives and I did today.”
South Africa’s Oliver Bekker and Erik van Rooyen both ended on 14 under (T8) after rounds of 67 and 65 respectively, with JC Ritchie on 11 under and Justin Walters on 10 under.
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
