David Lipsky wins Omega European Masters

David Lipsky of the USA won his first European Tour event by defeating England’s Graeme Storm at the first extra hole of a sudden-death playoff for the Omega European Masters

David Lipsky of the USA won his first European Tour event by defeating England’s Graeme Storm at the first extra hole of a sudden-death playoff for the Omega European Masters.

Lipsky produced a final round of 65 to tie Storm on a four-round total of 18-under-par. The pair returned to the 18th tee to decide the tournament over extra holes.

The American fired into a bunker from the tee while Storm’s drive missed the fairway and ended up against a wall.

From there, the Englishman could only pitch out back to the fairway. Lipsky took no chances from the sand and pitched out short of the green. When Storm was unable to save par, Lipsky was left with a putt for a four and the European Masters title. He rolled it home and his victory was secured.

“It was a tough shot from the bunker,” Lipsky said. “But with Graeme only going to make par at best, I decided not to risk the water. It was the right play and I’m pleased to get the job done.”

Although disappointed not to take the title, Storm could take the positives from a great week’s golf.

“It’s tough to take, but overall it’s been an unbelievable week. There are lots of emotions flying around right now.”

England’s Danny Willett carded a superb closing 63 to climb the leaderboard and end the week tied for fifth with his countryman Tommy Fleetwood.

They were one behind another Englishman Tyrrell Hatton and Brooks Koepka of the USA who were tied for third spot.

France’s Romain Wattel scored a hole-in-one at the 11th. But he didn’t win the BMW sports car that was on offer for an ace because Graeme Storm had already claimed it with a hole-in-one of his own there on Saturday.

“Unfortunately it was one day too late!” Wattel said.

Omega European Masters Crans-sur-Sierre GC Sep 4-7, purse €2,300,000, par 70

1    David Lipsky (USA)    67    64    66    65    262    €383,330 2    Graeme Storm (Eng)    64    66    64    68    262    €255,550 T3    Tyrrell Hatton (Eng)    67    66    65    65    263    €129,490 T3    Brooks Koepka (USA)    65    65    66    67    263    €129,490 T5    Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) 64    68    63    69    264    €89,010 T5    Danny Willett (Eng)    67    70    64    63    264    €89,010 7    Jamie Donaldson (Wal)    65    64    69    67    265    €69,000 8    Richie Ramsay (Sco)    62    66    70    68    266    €57,000 T9    Gareth Maybin (NIR)    64    67    69    67    267    €46,613 T9    Lee Slattery (Eng)    68    68    65    66    267    €46,613 T9    Romain Wattel (Fra)    68    69    65    65    267    €46,613

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage