Callum Shinkwin Wins Maiden European Tour Title In Cyprus

The Englishman won the Cyprus Open in a playoff after an eagle at the 72nd hole

Callum Shinkwin Wins Maiden European Tour Title In Cyprus

Callum Shinkwin defeated Kalle Samooja in a playoff to win his first European Tour title after a dramatic final day at the Cyprus Open.

The Englishman was two shots behind the Finn as he stood on the17th tee in regulation and while a birdie there edged him closer, his chances of victory looked slim when he found rough off the tee at the par five last.

His second shot over the water took him to the edge of the putting surface and he holed an incredible 54-foot putt for eagle to take a one shot lead at 20 under par after a closing course-record 63.

Samooja left himself an eagle chance from almost exactly the same spot but a two-putt birdie meant it was extra holes at Aphrodite Hills Resort.

Shinkwin found the greenside bunker with his second shot at the first trip back up the last but got up and down for a birdie, with Samooja's three putt from the fringe sealing Shinkwin’s first win in his 112th European Tour event.

The victory heralds a return to form for the 27-year-old, who lost his card in 2018 after coming close to becoming a Rolex Series winner the previous season, missing out in a playoff to to Rafa Cabrera Bello at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open when a par on the 72nd hole would have handed him the title.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, South African Garrick Higgo and Scot Robert MacIntyre finished two shots out of the playoff places on 18 under par, one clear of Australian Jason Scrivener, Finn Sami Välimäki and England's Dale Whitnell.

Related: Callum Skinkwin What's in the bag?

"It’s something I’ve always wanted to do (win on the European Tour), and now I have. It’s been a bit of a shock, but it feels great," Shinkwin said.

"I felt relaxed all day, I felt great to be fair. 15 and 16 were playing me up all week. I was more nervous playing those two holes just to get through them than in the playoff or on the 18th. I managed to get through them really well and I felt great.

"I’ve had to trust myself more than anything. I had to make a few changes and obviously it’s worked out for the best. Dug deep in 2019 and got my card back, and this year obviously with what has gone on, I’m happy to win.

"I try not to change caddies at all, really, but changed caddies this year to try to help me on the greens more. I’ve done that with Sam (Robertshawe), he’s a great green reader with his own method. I’ve trusted him and he’s basically taught me how to read greens better. This week I think I’ve called on him eight times and I’ve holed seven putts from there and obviously holed a lot more reading myself as well, which is obviously really good."

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