Bernd Wiesberger made it three times lucky in storming to a five stroke success in the Ballantine’s Championship.
The Austrian had posted back-to-back course record scores of 65 on day and three before a final round 68 to win with an 18-under par tally.
Bernd Weisberger holds aloft the Ballantine's Championship trophy. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
Wiseberger had been twice runner-up on the European Tour last season, there was never any danger of missing out this time as he played his final 59 holes without dropping a shot at Blackstone Golf Club.
Scotland’s Richie Ramsay matched the course record with a 65 and finish in second place on 13-under par.
Wiseberger earned a first prize cheque of Euro 367,500 along with a two year exemption
“I just tried to enjoy it and I had the three best rounds of my life,” said Wiesberger.
“I fly home tonight, I’m pretty sure I’ll have a shot of Ballantine’s in the Emirates lounge. I’m going to bring back a couple of bottles of Ballantine’s so they will be opened, I’m sure.”
Ramsay birdied the last to finish second on 13 under after a 65, two ahead of Fraser and France’s first-round leader Victor Dubuisson.
“I’m really, really pleased with the round, it’s been fantastic,” said former South African Open Champion Ramsay.
“You never want to lose – being a golfer, we always want to be the one that wins – but Bernd has played fantastically well out there.
“Obviously the fact that he’s a really nice guy – I played with him a few times on The Challenge Tour – and he’s a top-class guy. If you’re going to get beat by somebody, it might as well be Bernd because he’s a good guy.
“Ballantine’s has done a fantastic event here. The sponsorship has been brilliant, the tournament has been run fantastically well, and it’s great to come here and obviously there’s a lot of people out here today which makes it good to hit some nice shots.
“All in all it’s been a great week and I felt that it had been coming and it’s nice to just put a number on the board.”
And Ireland’s Paul McGinley secured his best finish in seven months posting a final round 70 to grab a share of seventh place on seven under par.
* Thanks to the European Tour.
