Sunday 20 August 2017 16:58, UK
Adrian Otaegui upset home favourite Marcel Siem to clinch his maiden European Tour title at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play in Germany.
The Spaniard recovered from a slow start against Siem to record four birdies in a row at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach in a blemish-free round to claim a 2&1 victory.
Otaegui, who came into the week with four consecutive top-20 finishes, had trailed Siem 3 down at the turn but recovered to clinch the title on his 123rd event on the European Tour.
"I'm so happy," Otaegui said. "The way I played the back nine being three down after nine holes, I played good golf.
"Obviously Marcel missed a couple of shots but I was very, very focused, I knew I could do it and the way I finished was just the perfect finish to the week.
"I've been playing very well the whole week. I've made a few mistakes as everybody does. I was very solid the whole week and I ended up with the trophy. It's a big combination of things, getting some confidence, knowing I can do it well."
Siem, who had shown some fine form during the earlier rounds, raced out of the blocks in the final with birdies at the first, fourth and eighth to take control of the match.
However the German was unable to maintain his fast start through the back nine making only one birdie at the 14th which preceded Otaegui's birdie blitz.
In the 3rd/4th play-off match Sweden's Johan Carlsson defeated Alejandro Canizares 3&2 thanks mainly to three eagles.
The morning's semi-finals had earlier seen Siem card six birdies during a 3&2 victory over Carlsson which saw the German 37-year-old secure the victory by halving the 16th in eagle-twos.
The second semi-final saw Otaegui, whose victory is the sixth by a Spanish player on the European Tour, charge to a convincing 6&5 success over compatriot Alejandro Canizares where the 24-year-old Otaegui posted seven birdies in comparison with only one by his more experienced opponent.
