Waring wins maiden title as Olesen makes latest Ryder Cup claim
What happened at the Nordea Masters?
Paul Waring won for the very first time on the European Tour as he got the better of Thomas Aiken in a play-off at the Nordea Masters.
Waring and Aiken shared a three shot lead over the field heading into the final round at Hills Golf Club, and the two had a fascinating duel and couldn’t be separated in regulation play.
The Englishman made a brilliant par-save at the 17th and went to the 18th tee with a narrow one-shot lead, but his second shot to the par-5 18th settled up against the lip and he could only make par.
Aiken also found the greenside bunker in two, but his lie was much more favourable – and an expert splash out and a five-footer for birdie forced the playoff.
Playing the 18th hole again, Waring split the fairway but Aiken flared his drive well right where it took one bounce and found the usually out-of-play water hazard.
And so when Waring hit a safe approach to the front of the green, the contest was all but over.
Aiken did have a chip for a par, but the 35-year-old missed to the right to leave Waring just a tap-in for his first triumph in over 200 professional starts.
Champion ?
Congratulations, @PaulWaringGolf, winner of the #NordeaMasters pic.twitter.com/FxXLLPIAGV
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
It was an unusually disappointing start to the day for Thorbjorn Olesen, but the Dane – who’s chasing down a Ryder Cup spot – battled back well to finish solo fourth and leapfrog Ian Poulter in the World Points list. As it stands, Olesen will be on the European team in Paris.
Maximilian Kieffer set the clubhouse target at 13-under after a back-nine 29, but the German missed out on a playoff by a solitary shot.
Closing out the top-five was Lucas Herbert; the young Aussie has been playing on invites in recent weeks but his solo fifth finish gets him into next week’s Czech Masters.
Click here for the final Nordea Masters leaderboard.
Best quote
?️"200th time lucky!"@PaulWaringGolf on his first victory. pic.twitter.com/KlaPoXCWYZ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
Best moments
Trouble for Aiken…#NordeaMasters pic.twitter.com/MGOyhSG9qx
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
Play-off ?
Aiken's birdie on 18 means it's extra holes in Sweden.#NordeaMasters pic.twitter.com/VJ5z7pw21P
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
Beef and chips ?#NordeaMasters pic.twitter.com/vKd3Jg0Oxv
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
Here comes Thorbjørn…#NordeaMasters pic.twitter.com/LvwP89vwBZ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
The drive ?
The putt ?What a time to make an eagle, @m4kieffer! pic.twitter.com/RHYOKUIAXw
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
In the driving seat.@PaulWaringGolf leads by two in Sweden.https://t.co/fSLyGMkBaJ pic.twitter.com/byrykWJvb5
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
?
Par
?The start @TommyAikenGolf would have dreamed of.#NordeaMasters pic.twitter.com/7NKMWExpe1
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 19, 2018
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
