Spain’s Adrian Otaegui produced a stunning fightback to beat home favourite Marcel Siem 2&1 and win his first European Tour title at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play held in Germany.
Siem was three-up at the turn, and two-up with five holes to play, but Otaegui won the 14th with a par, and then made three birdies in a row to claim his maiden win in his 123rd event.
The Spaniard arrived at Bad Griesbach off the back of four consecutive top-20 finishes, and was the form player heading into the final having completed all five previous matches without reaching the 18th hole.
He made nine pars on the front nine as Siem birdied the first, fourth and eighth holes, but won six of the eight holes after the turn – including the final four – making five more birdies in the process while staying bogey free.
Siem was fired up from the off and hit an approach to eight feet on the first, pointing at the hole as he made the putt to go one up. He went on to birdie the fourth and eighth holes, but Otaegui turned the tables, winning six of the eight holes after the turn – including the final four. He made five more birdies in the process while staying bogey free.
Swede Johan Carlsson beat Alejandro Cañizares of Spain 3&2 – with the help of three eagles – in the earlier match to decide third and fourth place.