Winther wins in Mallorca

Denmark’s Jeff Winther carded a gritty level par final round to win his first European Tour title at the Mallorca Golf Open.

The 33-year-old Dane had posted rounds of 62 on days one and three, sandwiching a 71 in tough conditions on Friday, and while the wind returned to Golf Santa Ponsa for the final 18 holes, Winther kept his cool.

After paring 16 holes and making one birdie, he reached the final hole with a tw0-shot lead. Despite missing a par putt from three feet, Winther holed the one back recorded a closing 70 to stay at 15 under and win by one shot from Spanish duo Pep Angles and Jorge Campillo and Swede Sebastian Soderberg – who finished second for the second week in a row.

Winther had his family with him in the Balearic Islands, and six year old daughter Nora hand a hand in the victory – coming to the rescue when he got locked in the bathroom for almost an hour on Sunday morning.

Speaking after his win, which came with a €150,000 first prize, Winther said: “It’s unbelievable, it’s not sinking in. I couldn’t have a better week. I’m overwhelmed.”

Explaining the incident which almost led to him missing his tee time, Winther added: “After breakfast I went to have a shower and my wife came in to use the bathroom as well. The door closed, and there’s no lock, but somehow we locked ourselves in. There’s no lock on the door, but the handle didn’t work. Our little girl Nora, who is six years old, had to go and find someone at the hotel reception to break down the door. We were in there for 45 minutes I think. I thought, jeez not today, not Sunday, you’re leading the tournament and you might not get there for your tee time. What a morning!”

A 2015 European Challenge Tour graduate who came through the Qualifying School in 2016, 2017 and 2018, Winther moved to 37th in the Race to Dubai ranking and will earn a spot in next month’s end of season DP World Championship in Dubai.

Jeff Winther’s WITB
Driver: Callaway MAVRIK Max (10.5°)
Fairway: Callaway MAVRIK Max (15°)
Irons: Callaway Apex MB (3-PW); Apex Pro (4)
Putter: Odyssey EXO 2-Ball
Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X LS