Paul McGinley was involved in a dramatic return to the Gut Larcenhof course in finishing with a 10-under par total after four rounds of the BMW International Open near Cologne.
McGinley stormed into the clubhouse lead with the lowest score of the last day of a six-under par 66 for a 10-under par tally.
Paul McGinley secures his best finish since finishing second in 2008 KLM Open. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
The triple Ryder Cup winning star then headed to Cologne/Bonn Airport but believing his 72-hole total would be overtaken as the afternoon progressed.
But as the afternoon did progress so did the rain and with the conditions worsening along with the scores.
McGinley was contacted by Tour officials but the Dubliner was already wise to the situation and had his BMW courtesy car driver turn around the 7 Series sedan and return to the course.
In fact, McGinley remained the clubhouse leader for nearly three hours before being joined by Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.And no sooner had ‘Gonzo’ joined McGinley and Australia’s Marcus Fraser moved to 12-under par with two holes to play.
Fraser was then joined by England’s Danny Willett before both players finished on 12-under par and with Willett capturing his first Tour title as a professional at the fourth extra play-off hole.
McGinley headed back to the airport and looking forward to Monday’s 36-hole Open Championship qualifier at Sunningdale.
And after the disappointment of a 77 on day three, his eventual Colonge effort was his third top-10 in just eight starts this year while he jumped 20 spots to 46th on the money list.
“The big gapping thing of the week was taking five three-putts on Saturday and I don’t think I’ve ever had five three-putts in a round of golf in my life before,” he said.
“I just lost my speed on the greens and lost my confidence but it was a good reaction to come back and shoot the score I did today so I am pleased.
“I do have to give some thought to that round as why I lost my speed and why I lost my confidence.
“But it’s another top-10, so that’s three top-10s in four tournaments and it’s a long time since I’ve done that.
“It’s just a real thrill to be playing good golf again and to be back up at the right end of a leader board.
“There have been a number of barren years so it’s a real thrill.
“So I’m now heading to Sunningdale and Portrush in good form and I’m looking forward particularly to Portrush as it is one of my favourite golf courses in the world.”
