Cool Hand Kinhult Breaks Deadlock With British Master Birdie-Winning Putt

Marcus ‘Cool Hand; Kinhult holed the most important putt of his pro career in birdiing the 72nd hole to break a four-way log-jam atop of the board and capture the Betfred British Masters at Hillside.

Kinhult, 22  held off challenges from defending champion Eddie Pepperell, four-time winner Matt Wallace and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre to win his first European Tour title in his 52nd Tour event.

In fact, the Swede birdied the final two holes after dropping two strokes on the previous two holes, to finish one ahead of Pepperell, Wallace and MacIntyre, the young Scot chasing his first victory on just his 14th European Tour start.

“It’s unreal,” said Kinhult.

Marcus Kinhult wins 2019 British Masters (Photo – Gettys/European Tour)

“I’ve been dreaming about it for such a long time and to finally do it is amazing. My knees were shaking on that final putt. My hands were shaking. Everything was shaking. It’s hard to remember now. Just so much nerves and so much willpower I guess. It’s a cool feeling.

“It was a real fight today. I played solid the front nine. Could have played better and then played okay beginning of the back nine and made bogey on 15 and 16. Then just managed to hole two good putts on 17 and 18.

“It was tough. I just tried to stay patient, composed and somehow I made those two last birdies. It is great. This is a very prestigious event and a nice little trophy to have. To get it as my first win is special.

“I had a great first impression when I got here Monday. I was just loving it here. The weather has been fantastic over the weekend. The crowds have been great crowds this week. I was surprised to see that many coming out on the weekend, since it’s a Premier League day today”.

There was a four-way tie on 15 under par when Kinhult and Wallace stood on the 18th tee, but Kinhult converted a birdie putt from eight feet to claim his maiden title, becoming the third Swedish winner of the British Masters after Alex Noren in 2016 and Johan Edfors in 2006.

MacIntyre looked to have dropped out of contention after a double bogey on the par five second hole, but he pulled a shot back on the fourth hole and then played the back nine in five under par to race up the leaderboard.

Pepperell, defending the title he won at Walton Heath in October, carded a final round six under par 66, while Wallace, who shared the 54-hole lead with Kinhult, signed for a one under par round to join him and MacIntyre in second place.

Scot Richie Ramsay took fifth place on 12 under par after a level par round 72, with English pair Jordan Smith and Paul Waring sharing sixth on 11 under.

Tournament host Tommy Fleetwood shared eighth place on ten under par with five other golfers, including former World Number One Martin Kaymer.

 



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