Ewen Ferguson claimed his third DP World Tour title and a place at The Open as a closing 68 handed him a two-shot win at the BMW International Open.
Related: Jordan Smith goes low to join Ewen Ferguson for lead
The Scot entered the final day at Golfclub München Eichenried in a share of the lead with England’s Jordan Smith and the duo were engaged in an thrilling battle throughout an entertaining Sunday in Germany.
View this post on Instagram
A two-shot swing on the 14th proved the turning point, however, and Ferguson held his nerve down the stretch to get to 18 under and was in tears as a closing par ensured he lifted the trophy.
Ferguson, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Saturday, produced a brilliant display of frontrunning on a wet final day in Munich, with a trio of birdies and a single dropped shot on the front nine giving him a slender advantage over Smith as they made the turn.
View this post on Instagram
The 2021 European Challenge Tour graduate did not blink down the stretch, with back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th opening a three-stroke lead over Smith, who dropped a shot at the 14th, giving Ferguson the luxury of being able to par his way home as he joined countrymen Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie as Scottish winners of the BMW International Open.
The victory also earns him a place at Royal Troon via the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
View this post on Instagram
Jesper Svensson, Laurie Canter, Nacho Elvira and Matteo Manassero also booked their places at The Open as part of the top five players on the Race to Dubai not already exempt, while Guido Migliozzi confirmed his status as the winner of the European Swing.
Smith carded a 70 to finish tied second at 16 under alongside Australian David Micheluzzi, who signed for a 68 thanks to a stunning closing eagle, two clear of England’s Matthew Southgate and Scot Connor Syme. Belgian Matthis Besard, Swede Jens Dantorp and Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino were at 13 under in a tie for sixth.
Player quotes
Ewen Ferguson: “I honestly can’t believe it. The last four holes I felt like I was in a dream, I didn’t think that this was actually happening, it was crazy I was hitting it so well and so much further than usual.
View this post on Instagram
“I just wanted to do it for my dad, my mum, my sister, my brother at home. I love them so much and every shot I hit, I hit with them in mind.
“It’s such a hard game, I’ve been moaning like mad the last two months and with also being sick. The (winner’s) exemption with this is so much weight off my shoulders and I’m so happy. I can’t believe it.
“I actually made a big decision this week. I played really well the last two weeks at KLM and Italian Open and I was supposed to be flying on Sunday night to play in Open qualifying on Tuesday in Scotland.
“But after I’d done on Sunday I was like, ‘you know what? I think I’m playing well, maybe I can just play in myself’.
“I didn’t want to tire myself out. I felt like I could maybe win this week or maybe finish in the top ten in Scotland and get my own spot that way with just good golf.
“So we decided to pull out of Open qualifying and it’s obviously a really good decision – it kept me fresh and I’m here with the trophy.
“The Open Championship is a tournament that everyone wants to play in and I feel like I can do well there.
“I actually got a text from Tommy Fleetwood saying well done so I said to him, let’s get a practice round in so I’m looking forward to that.”
