Adrian Otaegui has clinched his first European Tour title, producing a stunning come-from-behind victory against home favourite Marcel Siem at the Paul Lawrie Match Play.
The Spaniard won the final four holes of the match, having fallen three holes behind at the turn, to conjure a 2 & 1 victory and collect his maiden win after 123 starts.
Otaegui arrived at Germany's Golf Resort Bad Griesbach with four consecutive top-20 finishes, and his road to the final never saw him trail by more than a hole in any match.
When his 25-foot birdie putt fell on the 17th, it meant he lasted the entire week without heading up the last.
RIGHT: Spain's Adrian Otaegui celebrates his winning birdie on the 17th hole. PHOTO: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images.
"It's very, very special to have my first European Tour victory here at the Paul Lawrie,” said the 24-year-old.
“I didn’t start very well at the beginning. I was very quickly two down. Marcel was playing very good golf, he was hitting very good iron shots into the greens. He holed some good putts, which I didn’t. I didn’t hole any putts on the front nine.
“I was a bit worried at some points. Then suddenly it clicked and I made a few birdies on the back nine. I just wanted to keep fighting until the end.”
For Siem, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. The 37-year-old German had come out firing, birdying the first, fourth and eighth holes, and looked to be cruising towards victory and onto Thomas Bjorn’s Ryder Cup team.
But sloppy play and a run of birdies from Otaegui turned the tables, dismantling Siem’s mental game.
“I was totally in control, I just had to keep making birdies and pars,” Siem said. “He didn’t make any mistakes all day. I’m really upset, it’s really disappointing. It was right there on a silver plate for me today.

“A lot of things I thought about last night I should have thought about on the back nine. Thomas Bjorn is the team captain for The Ryder Cup on my favourite golf course where I won before.
“Having an exemption under my belt, I would have had a chance to play in every tournament. I totally forgot about that on the back nine to be honest. That was my motivation.”
Marcus Fraser was the best of the Australians, finishing with a share of ninth after losing to Sweden’s Johan Carlsson in the third round.
Related Articles

Playing From The Tips Ep.119: John Deere, BMW International Open & International Series

Playing From The Tips Ep.118: LIV Dallas, Rocket Classic, LPGA Teams, US Senior Open & more

Schneider climbs to two-shot lead in Alpine Open
Latest News

'Really cool': Herbert gives Australia nine Open lives

Smylie to defend Australian PGA Championship crown

Golf Improvement Tour of Glorious Vietnam
Most Read

RANKING: Australia's Top-100 Public Access Courses for 2025

RANKING: Australia's Top-100 Courses for 2024

Rocket Classic tee times (AEST): Aussies Lee, Davis, Vilips and Baddeley in action
