Sebastian Soderberg Wins Five-Man Playoff for European Masters Title
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-09-02
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — In a five-man playoff for the European Masters title, Sebastian Soderberg sank his birdie putt on the first extra hole when Rory McIlroy and others could not.
History repeated itself for McIlroy at the Crans-sur-Sierre club in the Swiss Alps, where he lost a playoff as a 19-year-old in 2008.
"Too many mistakes," said McIlroy, who came to the Swiss Alps direct from winning the FedEx Cup. "Playing that much, sometimes these mental errors creep in."
The 28-year-old Swede carded a 4-under 66 for a 266 total, alongside his playing partners McIlroy (67) and Lorenzo Gagli (67), and soon joined by Kalle Samooja (67) and third-round leader Andres Romero (70).
It was a first title for Soderberg, whose winner’s check more than doubled his career winnings on the European Tour. It also secured his Tour card through 2021.
"It’s going to change your life going forward," said Soderberg, who acknowledged shaking with the tension when he led on the back nine of the Severiano Ballesteros course. "I was way more calm in the playoff than I was in my last few holes."