Broberg Bravely Holds His Nerve To Savour Dutch Open Victory Delight

3 years ago by Comments Off on Broberg Bravely Holds His Nerve To Savour Dutch Open Victory Delight

Sweden’s Kris Broberg battled his nerves long enough to hold it together over the final round before bursting into tears of joy in ending a near six-year winless drought to capture the Dutch Open at Cromvoirt.

Broberg, 35, went into the final round leading by eight shots after first sharing a new Bernardus course record with a second round 64 but then lowered that by three shots with a 61 on day three.

After a first hole birdie on day four, Broberg found himself nine clear and it seemed the Swede would win by a country mile but that is not always how it unfolds in golf with Broberg struggling both left and right off the tee.

He bogeyed the third but then stalled for the ensuing six holes and with each par just opening the door ever so slightly for his rivals

One of those to put pressure on Broberg was Spaniard Alejandro Canizares who got to within four shots of Broberg with a seventh birdie of his round at the par-5 12th hole and, at that stage, moving to 19-under par.

Germany’s Matthias Schwarb, who was seven-under through 12-holes, tried but the birdie on 12 would be the highwater mark of his challenge as he then doubled 13 to eventually sign for a 66 and finish second on 20-under par.

Broberg birdied the 10th but again looked wobbly in dropping shots at 12 and 14.

Canizares kept the contest alive when he birdied 17 but then in choosing to hit his final drive down the left-side and onto the adjoining first fairway, the Spaniard made a mess of it in walking off with a crippling double-bogey ‘7’ in a 68 to finish third at 18-under par.

Then when it probably mattered most, Broberg holed a lengthy birdie putt on 17 and then pulled off a super drive down the last with his ball stopping just feet shy of a left fairway bunker ahead of a regulation two-putt par in a closing 72 for a 23-under par tally.

“I am happy right now but I was struggling all day as the game wasn’t there. I just didn’t feel comfortable over the ball, so I was happy to pull it off”, said Broberg.

However, being reminded that it has been nearly six years since capturing the BMW Masters in Shanghai, Broberg broke down in tears so much so, he struggled to speak with SKY’s John Morgan.

“It means a lot as it’s been”, said Broberg what it meant to win again.  And when Morgan reminded him of his last win in 2015 the emotion overcame Broberg who buried his hands in his face as the tears continued to flow.

“Sorry, I cannot talk .. (long pause) ….   it’s been six-years of hell”.

Following the presentation Broberg elaborated on his 18th hole emotions.

“It feels good, I broke down on 18 but it’s been six years of hell,” he explained.

“I’ve had three different surgeries on my left side but now I’m starting to get back where I’m supposed to be.

“The first few days I played really good. Today I was struggling like I was in the off season. I thought my eighth shot lead would be enough today, but Matthias (Schmid) played some really beautiful golf.

“It’s been a nightmare over the last six years. I was so close to quitting, it’s been so… I don’t know the word for it, but it’s been a tough time. This is way bigger (than his last win in 2015), more emotions”.

Kris Broberg – With His 2021 Dutch Open Victory 

 His second European Tour victory in his 156th appearance following his triumph at the 2015 BMW Masters, five years and 308 days ago

 His best result in 2021 was tied 14th at the Scandinavian Mixed hosted by Henrik and Annika

 The second Swede winner of the Dutch Open after Peter Hanson at Hilversumsche in 2012

 Moves to 81st in the Race to Dubai in Partnership with Rolex with 509.4 points, up from 154th

 Wins in his fourth appearance at the Dutch Open having last played the tournament in 2015. His best result came in 2014 finishing tied 77th

 Will move as high as 235th on the Official World Golf Ranking, up from 772nd

 Broberg is the 17th player in European Tour history to have a lead of eight shots or better after three rounds

 It is the first victory by a Swede on the 2021 Race to Dubai

 He is the 34th player from Sweden to win on the European Tour and the 113th victory by a Swede

 Broberg announced himself to the golfing world in 2012 as he won three events in four weeks on the European Challenge Tour – Finnish Challenge, Norwegian Challenge, Rolex Trophy and then later in the year won the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Challenge hosted by Royal Golf Club

 Set a new course record of 61 on day three of the 101st Dutch Open

 His 23-under par tally equals the 54-hole European Tour record.



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