Norgaard Wins British Masters: First European Tour Victory
Sep 01, 2024 22:46
Niklas Norgaard held his nerve to win the British Masters, securing his first European Tour victory. The Dane overcame a double bogey on the 15th to finish two shots ahead of Thriston Lawrence.
London, Sep 1 (AP) Niklas Norgaard held his nerve after botching three chip shots for a double bogey, finishing birdie-par for an even-par 72 and a two-shot victory on Sunday in the British Masters.
It was the first European tour victory for the 32-year-old from Denmark, and Norgaard had to sweat it out more than expected.
He started the final round at The Belfry with a four-shot lead. Thriston Lawrence of South Africa closed to within one shot until a two-shot swing at the par-3 12th, when Norgaard made birdie and Lawrence took a bogey.
But it nearly came undone on the par-5 15th. Norgaard was over the green in two and then shockingly took four chips to reach the green two of them moving only a few feet and taking double bogey as his lead dropped to two shots.
Norgaard conceded to being nervous going after his first win I almost threw up at breakfast, he said but not on the double bogey.
I was not that nervous there. I'm just really bad at chipping, he said. The important one was the putt on 17.
At the par-5 17th, Norgaard was in the greenside bunker in two while Lawrence had a lengthy attempt at eagle. The Dane blasted out to 12 feet and holed the birdie putt, Lawrence could only two-putt for birdie and the lead stayed at two going down the 18th.
I made that show on hole 15 and thought, Did I give it away?' I'm very happy the way it ended here, Norgaard said. He found the fairway on the 18th and two-putted for par without any more drama.
Norgaard finished on 16-under 272. Lawrence closed with a 70, while Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark took third with a 65.
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