Italy's Matteo Manassero became the youngest ever winner of the BMW PGA Championship as he claimed his fourth European Tour title at the age of 20 on the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off at the magical Wentworth club.
It what was a testing week due to the ever changing weather conditions, the Italian (DryJoys Tour and StaSof) held strong scoring 4, 5, 4, and 4 in the play-off to take the title.
Overnight leader Alejandro Cañizares (Contour and SciFlex) missed from 18 feet on the last for an eagle to join the play-off and Lee Westwood (FJ ICON and StaSof) held a two shot lead after birdies on the second, third and fourth, but the Worksop born professional couldn’t keep his momentum playing the back nine and he finished equal ninth.
Manassero who looked very comfortable on the range at the start of the week shot rounds of 69, 71, 69 and 69 – a total of 10 under par and at the age 20 years and 37 days, beats the previous record of Bernard Gallacher, who was 20 years and 97 days when he won in 1969.
"I feel unbelievable, really emotional," The Italian announced after his dramatic win.
"It's been an amazing week. I have always felt something really special about this place and this tournament. Everything has come together this week. I managed to play well and managed to stay in contention after a tough day on Friday and pulled it off with this play-off."
"I am the happiest man in the world right now."
Shoe Count:FJ - 55%Nearest Comp. - 21%
D.A. Points came back from a nearly three hour rain delay to win the Shell Houston Open by one stroke over Henrik Stenson and Billy Horschel.
Beginning the day one back, Points made six birdies in the first 14 holes, racing to a one stroke lead before play ceased. With a two year PGA Tour exemption and a Masters invitation on the line, D.A. made clutch pars on the final four holes including up and downs on the final two to post the clubhouse lead at 16 under. No one could catch the total, which gave D.A. his second PGA tour victory.
Points trusted his XPS-1 golf shoes and FJ Sciflex glove en route to his win, "The XPS-1 gives me the comfort and stability I need to play my best golf." Continuing, "The SciFlex fits my hand and is breathable for the hot conditions we always play in."
Seven different FJ styles graced the top 25 of the Shell Houston Open. D.A. opted for max stability of the XPS-1, second place finisher Billy Horschel went for fashion forward performance in FJ Icon MyJoys. Other players in the top 25, Ben Crane in Contour, Oothuizen in DryJoys Tour, Bill Haas in FJ Sport, Westwood in FJ Icon, and Wheatcroft in the M:Project. FJ truly has a shoe for every golfer and every swing.
Shell Houston Open Shoe Count
FJ - 64%
Nearest competitor - 18%
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Luke Donald (FJ ICON MyJoys) bested Lee Westwood (DryJoys Tour #53635 and SciFlex) in a playoff to capture the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. The players faced brutal conditions all week and they both finished the tournament at 6 under, 278 total. On the first playoff hole Donald safely pitched his 3rd shot onto the green within 6 feet, placing the pressure on Westwood to match him. Westwood's approach would land on the green only to spin back into the water. Donald would then hole his six footer for the victory. The win moves Donald to number one on the Official World Golf Rankings, supplanting his fellow countryman Westwood.
Donald is embracing his new status stating, “It doesn't get much better. I'm not sure if there will ever be a case where Number One and Number Two in the world are playing off for the tournament, but also a chance for the Number One ranking in the world. A unique history I think has been made, and glad to be a part of it.”
For more read at : europeantour.com
Fresh off a decisive victory in Malaysia that claimed Westwood (DryJoys Tour #53635 and SciFlex) the number one spot in the World Golf Ranking, Lee claimed his second consecutive tournament with a win at the Ballantine's Championship. Wanting to validate his top position, Westwood came from behind to win in South Korea. Starting his final round three strokes back of the leaders, he shot a final round 5-under 67 to defeat his competitors by 1 stroke. Westwood later stated, “It was very tough and to go around without making a bogey, five birdies and 13 pars was a special round of golf."
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