Martin Kaymer wins Open de France

German Martin Kaymer beat England's Lee Westwood in a play-off to claim the Open de France, with Ian Poulter back in third spot, in an exciting final day at Le Golf National in Paris.

Martin Kaymer

Martin Kaymer won the Open de France after a play-off with England's Lee Westwood on an exciting final day at Le Golf National in Paris.

The German youngster, who has already won on the European Tour, overcame faultering overnight leader Rafa Echenique of Argentina, but quickly discovered fierce competition from charging English duo Westwood and Ian Poulter, who posted final rounds of 65 and 67 respectively. 

Westwood was in the clubhouse at 13-under-par, and with a testing final few holes at Le Golf National awaiting his rivals, looked well set to end his baron period.

But Kaymer went on to par the last three to take the Open de France into extra holes, and it didn't take long to force a result with the pair heading to the treacherous 18th.

In the end the margin of victory was down to a few yards as Kaymer escaped the water hazard on 18, whereas Westwood did not - and it was costly. 

Victory was confirmed with a lenghty winning putt, which puts Kaymer back in the mix in the Race to Dubai.

Meanwhile, European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie battled back from a double bogey start to post a round of 71 and finish in a tie for 13th.

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