England’s Oliver Wilson secured a remarkable victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews. He finished one stroke clear of his fellow Brits, Richie Ramsay, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.
England’s Oliver Wilson secured a remarkable victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews. He finished one stroke clear of his fellow Brits, Richie Ramsay, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.
“I must admit I had a sleepless night,” said the 34-year-old who had previously finished runner-up nine times on the European Tour, but not since 2008. “I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if I could do it.”
Wilson’s fears looked justified on the front nine as he quickly lost his advantage. He played the first four holes in one-over-par while others started quickly.
Scotland’s Richie Ramsay surged clear when birdies at the 14th and 15th saw him reach 18-under-par. But bogeys at the 16th and 17th, and only a par at the home hole, meant he posted a clubhouse total of 16-under.
“Probably the best shot I’ve ever hit,” he said of the blow. He converted the birdie chance and moved, once again, to the top of the leaderboard on 17-under-par.
Wilson’s drive on the infamous 17th was played well to the left and he leaked his second into the right hand rough, well short of the putting surface. From there, however, he played an outstanding pitch and holed out for a brilliant four.
On the final hole, Wilson played two solid shots and narrowly missed the birdie putt that would have secured the title. Fleetwood had a putt from some 10 feet that would have forced a playoff, but it slid past the right edge and the victory was Wilson’s. It was an emotional moment for a player whose previous best result this season had been a tie for 40th in the rain-shortened Nelson Mandela Championship.
“I can’t tell you how much this means,” he said. “To not have to go back to Tour School is a massive relief and my schedule is going to change quite a bit now.” With the win, Wilson will now play in the European Tour’s Final Series and will gain a place in the 2014 WGC – HSBC Champions and the 2015 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Oct 2-5, purse €3,850,000,
