Fernandez-Castano edges thrilling British Masters
- Monday, 29 September 2008
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European Tour
Quinn Insurance British Masters
The Belfry, West Midlands, England
September 25-28, purse €2,296,537, par 72
Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano denied Lee Westwood in a gripping play-off at the Belfry, after the Englishman looked odds-on to successfully defend his title.
After carding a final round 67, Fernandez-Castano and Westwood were tied on 12 under meaning the tournament headed back to 18 for extra holes.
Ryder Cupper Westwood looked well placed to make amends for his disappointment at Valhalla until Fernandez-Castano chipped in at the 12th to gain the momentum.
The man from Worksop had been driving well all week but couldn’t take advantage of his length of the tee, especially at the 18th after gaining the upper hand.
But the gutsy Spaniard would not surrender and at the third extra hole completed a tricky two-putt to claim the £300,000 first prize and maintain his 100% play-off record.
"I think it's probably the best of my four wins," Fernandez-Castano said. "My season was not going very well and I was starting to get worried."
Meanwhile, Westwood was critical of his game in defeat, even though he has climbed to second in the Order of Merit. "I just struggled with my swing all day. I didn't feel under control at any point.”
New Zealand’s Michael Campbell finished on 10 under par to finish third, two clear of Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg.
1 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Esp) 71 70 68 67 276 €381,612
2 Lee Westwood (Eng) 68 70 68 70 276 €254,408
3 Michael Campbell (Nzl) 69 72 65 72 278 €143,333
4 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 67 75 68 70 280 €114,484
T5 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 72 72 66 72 282 €88,610
T5 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 69 71 69 73 282 €88,610
T7 Magnus Carlsson (Swe) 73 70 68 72 283 €59,073
T7 Ross Fisher (Eng) 71 68 71 73 282 283 €59,073
T7 Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 71 71 75 66 283 €59,073
Key moment: Fernandez-Castano chips in at 12 to save par
Note: Players in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
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