South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli carded a final round five-under 67 as he secured his maiden European Tour title with a one-stroke victory at the Lyoness Open in Atzenbrugg, Austria, on Sunday.
Frittelli managed a nervy swing down the stretch which saw him lose a number of shots right, but he made a crucial birdie at the par five 16th to move one ahead and end on the winning 12-under total.
It was in fact another charging South African – Jbe Kruger that pushed Frittelli for the title. Kruger closed with a final round five-under 67 to finish on 11-under. England’s David Horsey also ended in a share of second with a superb final round seven-under 65. Also tied second was Finland’s Mikko Korhonen.
“At the start of the week I was hoping for this, I’m super stoked,” said Frittelli afterwards.
“This will hopefully mean big things for my career and open up more doors down the road. To my mother, my father, my sister and all my family in South Africa and around the world, and all my coaches. My support has been great.”
Frittelli reeled off four birdies on his opening nine, rounded off with a curling 20-footer at the ninth to make the turn full of confidence. At the par four 11th hole he nearly holed his short iron approach before sinking the putt for another gain. It would be at the 16th where he produced a deft chip next to the green which setup his final birdie of the round.
The 17th, though, could be the hole where Frittelli won the title. There he missed the green and hit his chip to just outside eight feet leaving a curling right-to-lefter for par. The player stepped up and made a perfect stroke to drain the putt to hold onto his one-shot cushion going to the 72nd hole.
“That was one of those putts that I looked at and saw the line early and then I nailed the putt.”
On the par three 18th, Frittelli was able to safely two-putt for the triumph.
The 27-year-old collects what could be a watershed victory on the European Tour after turning professional in 2012.
Frittelli won twice on the European Challenge Tour in 2016 to earn his card for the premier golfing circuit in Europe for 2017.
Frittelli came close to his first European Tour win at the China Open in April when he lost in a playoff to France’s Alexander Levy. – African News Agency (ANA)
