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Omega Masters: Matthew Fitzpatrick beats Lucas Bjerregaard in play-off to defend title in Switzerland

Last updated on .From the section Golfcomments42

Matthew Fitzpatrick
Matthew Fitzpatrick is the first player to defend the title since Seve Ballesteros in 1978, when it was known as the Swiss Open
Omega European Masters final-round leaderboard
-17 M Fitzpatrick (Eng)*, L Bjerregaard (Den); -15 M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra); -12 N Elvira (Spa); -11 D Brooks (Eng).
Selected others: -7 L Westwood (Eng); -6 L Canter (Eng), R McEvoy (Eng), C Shinkwin (Eng).
*won at first play-off hole
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England's Matthew Fitzpatrick claimed a fifth European Tour win after edging out Denmark's Lucas Bjerregaard in a play-off to defend the Omega European Masters title in Switzerland.

Fitzpatrick birdied the first play-off hole after finishing level with Bjerregaard at 17 under after 72 holes.

Bjerregaard carded a final round seven-under 63, with Fitzpatrick making a birdie at the last for a 67.

France's Mike Lorenzo-Vera (67) finished third, two shots off the pace.

Fitzpatrick, 24, became the first player since Seve Ballesteros in 1978 to successfully defend the title at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

The world number 44 had entered the final round with a two-shot lead over Lorenzo-Vera after carding a bogey-free third round of seven-under 63.

"It was really tough, of all of my wins this was the most difficult," Fitzpatrick said.

"I didn't have my A game today, despite loving this place I just didn't play my best today. I managed to grind it out, made some crucial birdies coming in and I'm delighted.

"This is one of my best."

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42 comments

  • Comment posted by original-koppite, at 20:03 9 Sep 2018

    I recall Bjorn in a tizzy when Woosie didn't pick him. That was a brave captains decision, something Bjorn and Clarke failed to exhibit when it was their turn.

    Bjorn was one of the boys and it took courage for Woosie to omit him. Like Westwood, Garcia shouldn't have been picked! Unfortunately, like Clark, Bjorn took the easy way, picked Garcia and I fear the team will suffer as a result.

  • Comment posted by A Carr-Driver, at 17:21 9 Sep 2018

    The only other Golfer to defend this title was Seve - that's some achievement by Matt, what a great win !

  • Comment posted by jimmy777, at 16:55 9 Sep 2018

    Should be going to ryder cup over Garcia.

  • Comment posted by Jim365, at 19:47 9 Sep 2018

    Another fine performance from Matt,

    It's interesting that qualifying for the Ryder cup requires success in Stroke Play golf. Here's further evidence of this lad's stroke play ability.

    There's no doubt in my mind however that it's in match play that he really excels; look at his amateur record: second to none in Europe.

    Surely the combination should have secured a Ryder cup place.

  • Comment posted by garysevern, at 18:16 9 Sep 2018

    Can’t remember who said it but the proof of a world class sportsperson is that they can win with their B Game. Well done Matt.

  • Comment posted by Bomber, at 16:57 9 Sep 2018

    Great win for Matthew but the real winner is the scenery. A visit here should be top of everyone's bucket list. I was there when American TV declared the 7th tee as the best view in World golf. A place you must visit.

  • Comment posted by lillywhite , at 17:00 9 Sep 2018

    If he wont then I will....two fingers to Bjorn and his 'old boys network'

  • Comment posted by Dcf, at 06:00 10 Sep 2018

    Great win for Matt. What a finish.

    How golfers generally conduct themselves is a credit to themselves considering the frustrations of the game.

    Serena Williams? Anyone who believes her results make up for her behaviour needs to reassess their values.

  • Comment posted by simon, at 19:05 9 Sep 2018

    Another good win. Well played Matthew.

    All the talk about the Ryder cup picks will go quiet when Sergio wins the Fed Ex next week.

    Oh, hang on.....

  • Comment posted by MarktheHorn, at 16:55 9 Sep 2018

    Well done Matthew.

    Another notch of success on his fledging career.

  • Comment posted by Unimpressed, at 18:21 9 Sep 2018

    A firm kick up the ass for T.Bjorn....

  • Comment posted by U16912552, at 19:02 9 Sep 2018

    Everytime I see this young lad on a golf course I want him to do well, and he did again. Chuffed to rocks for him, and hope this isn't the start of Captain Bjørns Ryder Cup going Pique Tong.

  • Comment posted by A right wing pigs ear, at 17:49 9 Sep 2018

    Looking at Fitzpatrick is like looking at a young policeman, he makes me feel like I'm 90! Brilliant performance though, showed some class out there today.

  • Comment posted by Wildwood, at 09:24 10 Sep 2018

    I said last week that MF should have had a wildcard. Pick players in form, not those who you think might find some.

    Re Serena, tennis needs to take a good look at itself. Questioning the integrity of the ref/umpire in any sport is a red card offence. She, or any other player, male or female, should be kicked out.

    As for the fine, 1% of her prize money. Wow!!

  • Comment posted by chrisf, at 21:19 9 Sep 2018

    Delighted for him,he's worked tremendously hard and keeps his head down and gets the job done.
    Some of his more illustrious colleagues would do well to copy him.
    I hope he goes on to more success.

  • Comment posted by DBF, at 20:23 9 Sep 2018

    Great win for Matt, it's hard to defend a title proven in that only Seve had done it at crans. Class post round interview as well. People bringing up the Ryder cup should get over it like it appears Matt has. He's got more than enough game and time to qualify for plenty of future Ryder cups.

  • Comment posted by ALurPAL, at 18:26 9 Sep 2018

    Well Done Mathew Fitzpatrick...
    Your name wasn’t being quoted last week but you were 9th in World list, the Top 8 already qualified.
    Shame on Bjorn for not picking those who have shown form but sticking with his mates.

    Stenson is a rock, great for 4somes, needs the putter working for 4Ball and singles.
    Poulter brings the fight...

    Casey and Garcia shouldn’t be there IMHO.

  • Comment posted by original-koppite, at 20:20 9 Sep 2018

    Base principles should have been applied by Bjorn. "I can't leave my family for a week to play golf"! Golfers do that 30times a year. Indeed, Casey went to play in Singapore a few weeks later but in declining to represent it in 2016 he snubbed his country.

    He was ensconced in Yankland and used his family as a feeble excuse to turn his back on his country and should never have been picked again.

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 17:24 9 Sep 2018

    Well done, Matt. He'd have been a real asset in RC on European soil - last time he was just lacking experience in US conditions (and that explains why he didn't play more in Europe which would have been an easier route for him to qualify automactically). This win will remind him that he's got a great career ahead including RCs so I'm sure he'll cheer on Thomas' boys (a strong team anyway IMHO).

  • Comment posted by axl, at 21:23 9 Sep 2018

    MF should really have been the last Ryder Cup pick rather than Sergio. He's a superb player with great nerve.

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