Thomas Bjorn triumphed at Crans-sur-Sierre for the second time to claim his 14th European Tour victory in what has been an illustrious career. The 42-year-old Dane required extra holes to win the Omega European Masters on this occasion, as he felled a gusty Craig Lee on the first hole of sudden death to enter the winner’s circle for the first time since he won this title in 2011.
It was an utterly compelling final round in the stunning mountains of Crans Montana, with cool and foggy conditions adding an atmospheric backdrop to the excitement on below on the ground.
Thomas Bjorn, who came into Sunday having only dropped two shots all week, continued to perform in that flawless manner as he completed a stunning front-nine of 31 that saw him take control of the tournament. However, his progress would falter, and it coincided with a flurry of birdies from Craig Lee, who shot an astonishing round of 61 on Saturday. The 36-year-old from Stirling would make up ground with birdies on the 12th, 14th and 15th, tying Bjorn at 20-under, with the Dane having completed his tournament.
With Bjorn watching on television, Lee would give himself an opportunity to win outright on the final hole. His putt for birdie, and a first win on the European Tour, was tracking towards the hole before agonisingly catching the edge and missing by the slimmest of margins. With Victor Dubuisson coming up a shot short at 19-under, it was Bjorn and Lee who would return to the 18th tee for a playoff.
In the end, just one extra hole was required, as Bjorn once again utilised his superb touch on the greens to roll in the birdie putt under the heavy mist to claim victory over the Scotsman.
It’s a win that takes Bjorn up to eighth on the Race to Dubai money list, and ends the popular veteran’s two-year wait for a victory.
“It was nice,” he said. “I had a really good run through the summer and did not really get close enough.
“I had to grit my teeth for a while and I really wanted to get out and try to win a golf tournament again.”
For Bjorn the key this week was to avoid making “stupid bogeys”, and he successfully achieved that objective by making just two during the 72-holes.
“I came in this week not playing particularly great but promised myself I’d stick to how I play this golf course.
“I did that and had two bogeys in 72 holes, which is good going around here. I felt good and I got over the line.”
Playoffs add an extra dynamic when it comes to pressure, as suddenly a player is thrust into a head-to-head battle with an opponent, rather than having to simply take on the course. It’s an added pressure, and one that Bjorn is particularly proud to have come through.
“It was nice to do that in a playoff. I’ve had a hard time dealing with pressure situations and there is no more pressure than that.”
It’s a victory that also takes Bjorn into the qualification positions of the European Points List for the Ryder Cup next year. Admittedly the process is only two weeks old, with most of the likely candidates yet to have played in eligible tournaments. But nonetheless, it does provide Bjorn with a platform to build on next year, and, should he have a similar season to 2011 during which he won three times, the player who has represented Europe twice before may just do so again at Gleneagles next September.
Despite missing out in the playoff, it was an important week for Craig Lee, who has fought hard throughout his career just to make the European Tour. The Scotsman came into this week ranked 108th on the Race to Dubai, and his runner-up finish will ensure of his status on the Tour for next season.
Having followed his remarkable round of 61 with a final round of 67, Lee performed superbly under the most intense of pressure, and Bjorn was full of praise for his opponent.
“Craig needed to do a lot of things to get his card and he has done that,” Bjorn said. “He did tremendous over the week.”
Victor Dubuisson finished in third, with Alejandro Canizares a shot further back at 18-under. England’s Ross Fisher, who has committed to the European Tour after a stint in the United States, completed his tournament at 15-under alongside Crans favourite Miguel Angel Jimenez, who was playing in this tournament for the 25th consecutive year.
Crans-sur-Sierre is one of the most iconic venues on the Tour, partly due to its stunning backdrop in the Swiss Alps, in addition to his ability to consistently provide compelling championships.
This year was no different, and in the end it was the Great Dane who triumphed at the end of a great tournament.