German veteran Marcel Siem kept his composure at the Hero Indian Open and won his first World Tour event in over eight years by a single shot on Sunday.
The 42-year-old puttted ahead of compatriot Yannick Paul on the final hole, but missed the fairway with his second shot to secure a nervous finish.
He won a tournament at the DLF Golf and Country Club near New Delhi and dropped his club and threw his cap on the ground in celebration.
“My goal was to be as calm as possible, but that lie was terrible the last time, so it certainly increased my heart rate,” he said.
It was his first world tour win in eight years and 116 days.
He won four titles between 2004 and 2014 but had to return to qualifying school in November to get his tourist card.
He is now enjoying the Indian summer of his career, finishing in the top 20 five times in the previous six tournaments.
“It means a lot because two years ago I wasn’t even sure if I could still do the DP World Tour and now I’m a winner again,” he said.
“I was gone – I lost my card, Challenge Tour, Q School – many thanks to all my family and my team, my sponsors.
“I worked very hard. This is madness. The second push in my career.”
He started the day first behind Paul. A birdie on fourth leveled him, and two more just after the turn put him ahead before a two-shot turn on the 13th brought the Germans back to the level pegs.
But a 15-foot birdie in 15th gave Siem an edge he never gave up.
It was the second in a row for the 28-year-old Paul, who was five shots ahead of his closest pursuer after the second round but lost momentum with 71 on Saturday.
Hollander Jost Luyten, 37, hit a four under 68 on Sunday to take third place, also repeating his finishing position at the Thai Classic last week.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
