South Africa’s James Kingston became the oldest winner on this season’s European Tour by claiming victory at the Mercedes-Benz Championship after a playoff against Anders Hansen of Denmark.
Kingston had been enduring a poor run of form and hadn’t made a cut since the Open Championship in July. But, the 43-year-old produced four solid rounds at Gut Lärchenhof to finish on a total of 275 – 13-under-par.
That was good enough to tie Hansen who had earlier recorded a closing 67 to finish on the same total. The pair headed for sudden-death and, when Hansen failed to get up-and-down from the greenside bunker on the first extra hole, Kingston was left with a straightforward five-foot putt to take the title. He duly knocked it in.
“A week ago I didn't even know I was in the event,” said Kingston. “I got in through last year's rankings so to come out and win a championship like the Mercedes-Benz Championship on a golf course like this makes it more special. I would probably have spent a few more days at home this week but it shows how things can change.”
England’s Simon Dyson finished in a tie for third with Soren Hansen and Peter Hanson. The Yorkshire golfer had a chance for a birdie on the closing hole that would have seen him force his way into a playoff.
“It was a quick putt and I though I had it.” He said. Unfortunately, the effort came up just short.
Anthony Wall finished the week in a tie for sixth with Henrik Stenson while Lee Westwood was tied eighth with David Drysdale. Westwood could have gone third in the Race to Dubai had he finished fourth or better. He remains in fourth behind Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey and Rory McIlroy.
Mercedes-Benz Championship Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof, Germany Sep 10-13, purse €, par 72
1 James Kingston (RSA) 67 69 70 69 275 €320,000 2 Anders Hansen (Den) 70 68 70 67 275 €220,000 T3 Simon Dyson (Eng) 68 70 68 70 276 €101,517 T3 Soren Hansen (Den) 65 71 70 70 276 €101,517 T3 Peter Hanson (Swe) 70 68 67 71 276 €101,517 T6 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 70 68 69 71 278 €64,000 T6 Anthony Wall (Eng) 69 70 68 71 278 €64,000 T8 David Drysdale (Sco) 67 70 73 69 279 €47,000 T8 Lee Westwood (Eng) 70 69 72 68 279 €47,000 T10 Alex Cejka (Ger) 70 72 68 70 280 €38,400 T10 Rodney Pampling (Aus) 71 72 69 68 280 €38,400
Player scores listed in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only
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