Germany’s Max Kieffer ended a nine-year wait for his maiden DP World Tour title as he triumphed at the D+D REAL Czech Masters.
Making his 249th appearance on the European circuit, Kieffer carded a final-round 66 to finish one stroke ahead of Gavin Green at Albatross Golf Resort.
The 32-year-old from Dusseldorf started the final day four strokes behind Green, who led after 36 holes as the tournament was reduced to three rounds due to heavy rain on Saturday. He made a fast start with six birdies in his first 11 holes and recovered from a bogey on 15 with his seventh gain of the day on 17 as he took the lead for the first time on 16 under.
Kieffer had previously finished runner-up on four occasions, losing out in two play-offs, one of which was decided after a marathon nine holes in his rookie season in 2013. Extra holes were on the horizon as Green, who was one under par for the day, was just one stroke back as he played the final hole.
The Malaysian stuck his approach shot to ten feet, but his birdie putt agonisingly lipped out, handing Kieffer his first victory and his nation’s first DP World Tour title since Marcel Siem won the BMW Masters in 2014.
Green recorded his best finish on tour since 2017 as he finished second on 15 under, while South Africa’s Louis De Jager and Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen, who was runner-up at this event last year, shared third on 14 under.
Kieffer said: “It will need a few days to sink in, but I’m delighted to have won. You just have to keep trying. I had a few difficult years where I didn’t play, this year I feel like I’m playing very well. But, deep down, you never know in golf. I’m just so glad and I’m really going to enjoy it.
“To be honest, I felt really calm and confident all day. I had a great warm up and I was ready to attack today. I thought I’d need at least another birdie because Gavin was at 17 under. I tried to be aggressive on 17. When I saw he was back to 15 and I had a putt for the lead, which I made, then on 18 the nerves kicked in. At the tee shot I was thinking I may not make contact with the ball, but I hit a great shot, then I had a good yardage for the second shot and it was nice to see the full shot in there and I made a nice putt there also.”
What’s in the Bag – Max Kieffer
Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS (9°)
Fairway Wood: Callaway MAVRIK Sub Zero (15°)
Hybrid: Titleist 913H (19°)
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB ’21 (3-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50°, 56°, 60°)
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball
Ball: Titleist Pro V1