European Tour, Wiesberger Wins Lyoness Open

Bernd Wiesberger (Getty Images)

Bernd Wiesberger won the Lyoness Open  after a brilliant seven under par 65 gave him victory with a tournament total of -91 under par, on home soil at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg Austria, on Sunday.

Bernd called it the best day of his life after chasing down overnight leader Thorbjørn Olesen and Frenchman Thomas Levet with four birdies in five holes around the turn, then remembered José Manuel Lara having a similar putt to win;

” It’s the best day of my life so far. It seems like it went my way, especially the last two holes. I had such a great country and such great fans backing me. I’m very proud to be following in such big footsteps, as Brier. I’m sure I’m not going to be the last home winner.
When José Manuel Lara holed a similar putt to win the tournament two years ago, I always imagined I’d have a putt like that to win here. I actually said that to my caddie walking up the 18th hole, and when it went in, I just couldn’t believe it.”

Shane Lowery and Thomas Levet shared second spot at -16 under par, Thomas making a mistake with a bogey on the 17th hole, which allowed Shane to equal his score. Shane was disappointed to start the last round poorly, but satisfied with the way he fought back and climb up the leaderboard;

After an awful start I’m delighted with how I fought back. I was two over after five holes, but then managed to go eagle-birdie-birdie, which really got my round back on track. I’ve played lovely all week, and today was no different, I just wish I was playing again next week. Still, a holiday in Portugal’s not a bad consolation.”

Congratulations to Thomas Levet for his effort in this tournament, Thomas used to play at my club back in England, Blue Mountain Golf Club, and I have spoken to him many times. It is nice to see someone you know performing well.

Ballantine’s Championship @ Blackstone GC Seoul South Korea, Wiesberger Wins

Bernd Wiesberger (Getty Images

Bernd Wiesberger won the Ballantine’s Classic at the  Blackstone GC in Icheon,  Seoul, South Korea on Sunday to record his first European Tour victory.  Bernd cruised through a bogey free last round of -4  under par 68 and a winning tournament total of -18 under par, to give him a deserved five shot victory. It was a majestic tournament from Bernd with rounds of  72, 65, 65, 68.

Richie Ramsay finished alone in second spot after a final round -7 under par 65, and a tournament total of -13. Tied in third place was Victor Dubuisson, and Marcus Fraser. Victor had a last round of -6 under par 66 to give him a total of -11 under par for the tournament. Marcus finished on the same score after a disappointing final round of -2 under par 70. He had been hoping to put some pressure on Bernd at the start of play but the Austrian cruised along while he struggled.

Miguel Angel Jimenez,  and Anthony Wall finished the tournament with a total of -10 under par and tied for fourth  spot.

Ballantine’s Championship, Bernd Wiesberger in control @ Blackstone GC, Seoul

Bernd Wiesberger (Getty Images)

The Ballantine’s Championship is just about done and dusted, Bernd Wiesberger is in full control after the third round after shooting another -7 under par round of  65 to lead the tournament at the Blackstone GC,  in Seoul, South Korea. Bernd’s magnificent lead is five shots, and total score of -14 under par.

Bernd, who won twice on The Challenge Tour in 2010 and was a runner-up twice on The European Tour last year, said of his round;

“I think that’s what we call a great day at the office. It was fun out there. It was nice conditions again like yesterday, and really nice set up for the course. I enjoyed myself out there, made a lot of putts and that was the key to another perfect day. Out there on the greens I really felt like I saw the lines perfectly today and I putted the ball nicely.,

“It feels like I’m getting into position more often, and played well when I was in those positions in the last half of the year last year. It was a good preparation the last two years, and I hope it pays off tomorrow.”

In second place is Marcus Fraser, the 2010 champion, with a third round score of -3 under par 69 for a tournament total of  -9 under par. Bernd would need to fall over badly tomorrow to not win this trophy. Marcus was realistic in assessing his chances tomorrow;

“I felt really comfortable out there, hit a lot of good shots inside 20 feet, and just couldn’t get anything going. I hit putts where I was wanting to hit them, but they just weren’t taking the break. I felt like I was playing chase out there most of the day and trying to keep up. Bernd is playing great , so much game and definitely a star of The European Tour to come. He’s obviously a great player now but he’s got big things in front of him, that’s for sure. It reflects the way he’s playing. He played great here and gives himself a chance on every hole and he’s a great putter, as well. If I was a betting man, I would put the house on him. He’s just played so well and looks very comfortable.”

Everyone else is really fighting for second place, Marcus Fraser is the player closest to the man in form, but five shots over one round is a huge mountain to climb, not impossible in golf, but very unlikely.

Oliver Fisher and Felipe Aguilar are another shot back with a tournament score of -8 under par, but have no realistic chance of catching Bernd.

Ballantine’s Championship, Blackstone GC Seoul South Korea

Bernd Wiesberger (Getty Images)

The Ballantine’s Championship from Blackstone GC, in Seoul South Korea was all change at the top in the second round.

Clubhouse leader is Bernd Wiesberger who carded a brilliant bogey free -7  under par 65 in the second round for a tournament total    of  -7 under par. He said in interview;

“Today I couldn’t really do anything wrong really. It felt like everything was going in the right direction. I’m just trying to hit a lot of greens and try and hit on the right spots, which is important here. It’s a tricky golf course when you hit into the wrong places.”

In second spot is Australian Marcus Fraser, who won this title on Jeju Island in 2010, he shot  a five under par 67 to move to six under at the halfway stage of the tournament. The two-time European Tour winner commented on the better golfing conditions today;

“Obviously yesterday was very windy, pretty tricky for everybody. And then today was completely different. We basically had no wind for most of the day and then it kicked up a little bit over the last maybe five, six holes. But overall, I’m very happy and very pleased with the way it’s going at the moment.”

He then joked about why he always plays well at the Ballantine’s Championship;

 “It’s obviously just the alcohol, I can’t really survive without it. It’s obviously one of our premiere events now on The European Tour, and Ballantine’s have been such a great sponsor and product. We have a great venue this year, same course as last year, and I think the brand, Ballantine’s, suits very well with the exclusive club, and it’s just a great week and somewhere I love coming back.”

Ryder Cup star Miguel Angel Jiménez, England’s Anthony Wall and Chile’s Felipe Aguilar were all in the clubhouse on four under.

Yesterdays first round leaders all fell away today, including Paul Casey who could only manage a par round of 72 in the second round and is now five shots off the pace. Ian Poulter enjoyed a good round of -5 under par, and is also -2 for the tournament. Adam Scott the highest ranked player in the field struggled to make the cut, shooting a +3 over par 75, to actually make the cut with a total of +2 for the tournament.