Joakim Lagergren claimed his first European Tour title in dramatic fashion at the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open after defeating Mike Lorenzo-Vera in a play-off at Verdura Golf Club.
Lagergren’s closing 68 got him to 16 under, alongside Lorenzo-Vera, who signed for a 70, and one shot clear of Andy Sullivan and Lucas Herbert, who matched the lowest round of the week with a 63.
The Swede started the final round two shots behind Frenchman Lorenzo-Vera, but that was his advantage at the turn, as he made four birdies in his first nine holes on the Sicilian coast.
He came home in 36 to allow Lorenzo-Vera back into the contest, but a wonderful approach to eight feet set up a birdie on the first extra hole and handed him victory.
For Lorenzo-Vera, it is a second consecutive second-placed finish after he lost in the final at last week’s GolfSixes alongside Romain Wattel.
Lagergren said: “I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole career. I’m both relieved and happy – I’ve been fighting so hard to get to my first win, so it’s just awesome. This is a big step for me, I’ve taken the first one, now I’ll rock on from here.”
Final Scores (top 20)
268 J Lagergren, M Lorenzo-Vera (Lagergren wins play-off)
269 L Herbert, A Sullivan
270 L Bjerregaard
271 J Guerrier
273 S Brown, F Laporta
274 A Pavan, E Molinari
275 A Connelly, R Evans, P Waring
276 E Pepperell, J Winther, T Aiken, J Kruyswijk,P Angles, T Lewis