BERLIN: Fabrizio Zanotti claimed the first European Tour victory by a Paraguayan after landing the BMW International title following a four-way play-off in Germany yesterday.
The 31-year-old from Asuncion, three-times a runner-up on the circuit, won at the fifth extra hole after world number two Henrik Stenson of Sweden found water off the tee and sand with his third shot on the par-four 17th at Gut Larchenhof in Cologne.
Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain and Frenchman Gregory Havret were eliminated earlier in the playo-ff. Zanotti shot a closing seven-under-par 65 to finish with a 19-under total of 269, the same mark as Stenson (67), Cabrera-Bello (67) and Havret (66).
“I was patient and I tried to play shot by shot in the playoff. I’m just very happy,” Zanotti told Sky Sports television.
“I’ve been working a lot and trying to build my confidence to get to this moment and finally I’m here,” the 2013 Qualifying School graduate said after picking up the first prize of $452,000.
Zanotti, who was making his 181st appearance on the tour, could now rocket from 305th and into the top 110.
REUTERS
