Sweden’s Henrik Stenson has ended an 18-month victory drought and in the process becoming the first player to capture the prestigious BMW International Open trophy in both Munich and now Cologne.
The Swede, who could move up two places to No. 5 in the world, was in a class all his own winning by three shots with a final round 71 for a 17-under par tally.
And Stenson, now aged 40 has captured a 10th European Tour title to be one behind compatriot Robert Karlsson as the winningest Swede in history of the European Tour.
It is also a second win in this event following his triumph in 2006 but then Stenson’s the first in the 27-year history of the event to win both in Munich and now near Cologne.
I’m delighted, I came close here the last two years so I finally get my hands on it again – Henrik Stenson
Henrik Stenson and his wife, Emma with the gleaming BMW International Open trophy. (Photo – Getty)
“It was hairy all the way, it was a tough one. I had to dig deep to come back. I didn’t play well on the front nine, made a couple of mistakes, got caught out by the wind a few times and missed one or two putts I should have made as well.
“I felt like I was starting to make a bit of a mess of it and then I came back and made the birdies on the par fives. I made some good putts closing out.
“I really feel like I played well in 2015 and I just couldn’t get a trophy. It was a bit hard at times but you’ve just got to keep on trying and put yourself in position. I did that once again and this time I managed to go all the way.”
Dane Thorbjørn Olesen was alongside Fichardt at 14 under with Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin three shots further back.
Olesen briefly held a share of the lead with a birdie on the first but Stenson hit back with one of his own and, despite turning in one over par 37, the 40 year old held a two-shot advantage at the turn.
When both Stenson and Olesen bogeyed the tenth, the chasing pack were brought back into serious contention and it was Fichardt who looked set to make a charge as he hit the front.
But Stenson found another gear and despite Fichardt cutting the gap to one with a birdie on the 17th after an exquisite pitch, he bogeyed the last and Stenson signed for a 71 and won his first event since the 2014 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in comfortable fashion.
Olesen signed off with a 73 as he claimed a fifth top-20 finish in six events while Fichardt’s 69 earned him his best finish of the season so far.
Jacquelin had held the first-round lead and a share after day two but a second consecutive 72 saw him settle for fourth place, a shot clear of Sergio Garcia and Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
David Horsey and Bernd Wiesberger were then at nine under, a shot clear of the group including defending champion Pablo Larrazábal.
