Viktor Hovland became the first Norwegian winner in European Tour history as he finished two strokes ahead of Martin Kaymer to win the BMW International Open in Germany.
The 23-year-old started the final day with a three-stroke lead, but Kaymer, winner of the BMW International Open in 2008, made a final day charge at Golfclub München Eichenried with an eight under 64 to set the clubhouse target at 17 under par.
Hovland led by two after his third birdie of the day on the 16th, but a dropped shot on the 17th set up a tense finish on the formidable par-five 18th. However, the Ryder Cup hopeful found the fairway with his tee shot and then the green with a superb three wood, setting up three putts for the victory. He required just two as he tapped in for birdie and a 19 under par total for his maiden European Tour title, his third worldwide victory since turning professional in 2019.
Hovland said: “That was a long day. Sleeping on the lead you start thinking about winning, but there’s a lot of things that can happen. I didn’t really play very well today, but with a nice six-seven holes, it was good enough and I’m happy to be sitting here with the trophy. I grew up watching the European Tour, including a lot of the guys in this week’s field, so it’s cool to be a champion of this Tour. It’s a huge honour and finally Norway has a win on the European Tour.”
Further down the leaderboard, Spaniard Jorge Campillo finish third on 15 under, while 2014 Ryder Cup player Victor Dubuisson recorded his best European Tour result since 2017 as he finished fourth.
Viktor Hovland’s Winning Gear
Driver: PING G425 LST (9˚)
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade SIM 3 (15˚)
Hybrid: PING G425 (19˚)
Irons: PING iBlade (4-6), PING i59 (7-PW)
Wedges: PING Glide Forged Pro (50˚, 56˚) Titleist Vokey SM8 (60˚)
Putter: PING PLD DS72
Ball: Titleist Pro V1