What happened at the Porsche European Open?
It’s been a life changing couple of weeks for journeyman Richard McEvoy. After winning last week at Le Vaudreil Golf Challenge on the Challenge Tour, the Englishman held off some of the world’s best to lift the trophy at the Porsche European Open at Green Eagle Golf Courses.
The Englishman held a share of the overnight lead with Bryson DeChambeau heading into the final round, and it proved to be a rollercoaster of a day, topped off with a lengthy birdie putt on the 18th green to secure a one-stroke victory.
Playing in the final group, McEvoy and DeChambeau had a dramatic head-to-head battle. When McEvoy made back-to-back bogeys at 12 and 13, it seemed that DeChambeau was on his way to a first European Tour win and to add to an ever-improving CV.
But McEvoy kept within touch, and when the Scientist went down in flames over the final stretch of holes, the 39-year-old was there to pounce.
It all started on the par-5 15th when DeChambeau put his second shot into the water on his way to a bogey. The American bogeyed the following par-5, narrowly avoided the water hazard on the 17th, and viciously hooked his tee shot on the final hole into the water where he’d make a triple-bogey to play his final four holes in five-over-par.
Allen John, Christofer Blomstrand and Renato Paratore were all in the clubhouse at 10-under, and so when DeChambeau rinsed his ball on the 18th, McEvoy’s task was very simple: make birdie to win.
Standing in the middle of the 18th fairway, McEvoy had just over 200yards to the green, over the water hazard guarding the front of the putting surface. He’d lay up to leave just a flick with a wedge, which he left 20ft short of the pin.
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He set the putt out to the right, curling it back perfectly to nestle in the middle to spark jubilant scenes.
It’s taken him 285 events in 17 years as a pro, but McEvoy is finally a winner on the European Tour.
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Elsewhere, it was a disappointing day for both Paul Casey and Patrick Reed, who fell to over-par rounds to finish seventh and ninth respectively. Hideto Tanihara and Romain Wattel rounded off the top-five with John, Blomstrand and Paratore settling for a tie for second.
Full Porsche European Open leaderboard
Talking point
McEvoy and DeChambeau had a great battle over the weekend, and while DeChambeau went down in spectacular fashion over the final few holes, it would have been nice to see the American congratulate the journeyman on his superb win after toughing it out.
The resulting handshake on the 18th green was a bit…well, it wasn’t great was it?
https://twitter.com/estshuffle/status/1023589484745711616
Best moments
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Final Porsche European Open leaderboard
