Porsche European Open

Porsche European Open

Porsche European Open
Hamburg, Germany
Winner: Paul Casey

In 1991, as a 14-year-old, Paul Casey was a standard bearer during an event that he would subsequently win as the Porsche European Open 28 years later.

“I volunteered at this event at Walton Heath, which is not far from where I grew up as a kid,” Casey said. “I never thought I’d be sitting here with the trophy. This is an incredibly prestigious trophy with a lot of history to it on the European Tour.” Casey added that he dedicated the victory to Gordon Brand, Jr., a two-time winner of the European Open whose funeral, following his sudden death at the age of 60, was due to be held the following day.

Casey started the final round one stroke behind Germany’s Bernd Ritthammer and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre. A birdie at the 13th hole, as MacIntyre bogeyed the 12th, edged Casey ahead. Two more birdies at the 16th and 17th from the veteran Ryder Cup player sealed the win at 14-under-par 274 after scores of 66, 73, 69 and 66 at Green Eagle. A three-putt for par at the last gave the overnight leaders the chance to tie, but MacIntyre, with an eagle attempt, and Ritthammer, with a birdie putt, both came up short.

Their 68s left them one behind, alongside Austria’s Matthias Schwab, who eagled the last for a 66. Schwab’s compatriot Bernd Wiesberger was fifth after a course-record 64.

This was Casey’s 14th European Tour win and his first for five years. Earlier in the season he had successfully defended his Valspar Championship title after a few years of mainly concentrating on the PGA Tour. “I’d been away from the Tour for a few years, since then I’ve had a couple of wins in the U.S.,” Casey said. “I feel as fit at 42 as I’ve ever felt. I have an understanding of my golf game and a lot of enthusiasm. I love working hard for it and the quest of being as good as I can be.”