Bernd Wiesberger tames Le Golf National to land French title

Phil Casey 09:27 06/07/2015
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  • Cherished win: Bernd Wiesberger.

    Bernd Wiesberger added his name to the illustrious list of Alstom Open de France champions thanks to a brilliant closing 65 at the tricky Le Golf National.

    The Austrian carded six birdies in a flawless round to finish 13-under par, three shots ahead of playing partner James Morrison, who also did not drop a shot in a closing 67.

    Overnight leader Jaco van Zyl was two shots further back after a disappointing 73, but at least had the consolation of joining Morrison in claiming one of the three qualifying places on offer for The Open.

    Rafael Cabrera-Bello secured the remaining place thanks to a stunning back nine of 29 after going to the turn in 40, the Spaniard carding two eagles and two birdies to finish fifth, a shot behind Martin Kaymer.

    Kaymer was within a shot of the lead after birdies on the first and third, but could only pick up one more shot before seeing his third to the 18th spin back into the water.

    Wiesberger began the day three shots off the lead but took command of the tournament in stunning fashion with five birdies in six holes from the fourth after a onehour delay due to lightning.

    That gave him a four-shot lead and although Morrison closed to within two thanks to birdies on the 12th, 13th and 16th, Wiesberger crucially saved par from the back of the 17th green and rounded off his third European Tour title in style with a birdie on the last.

    “It was a great year but a tough year for me so far,” said Wiesberger, who was no lower than sixth in his first four events of the season and lost a play-off for the Irish Open at Royal County Down in May.

    “I have had a lot of success but just could not quite pull it off so to stand here with the trophy makes it pretty sweet.”

    Morrison, who won the Spanish Open in May, was delighted with his performance after taking a two-shot lead into the final round in Munich last week, only to finish 11th after a closing 77.

    “Last week was pretty hard to take but I came here, got back to business and my game is improving every day,” Morrison said. “I am doing all the right things.

    “Bernd played superbly today, he won the tournament. Simple as that. He played fantastic.”

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