Robert McIntyre’s costly drive out of bounds opened the door for Bernd Weisberger to claim the Made In Denmark title – his first since 2017. Picture by GETTY IMAGES
BERND Wiesberger won his fifth European Tour title after a thrilling final day battle with Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre at the Made in Denmark tournament.
The Austrian was out for seven months last year due to a wrist injury but is now back in the winner’s circle in his 13th event since making his comeback on the 2019 Race to Dubai, and for the first time since the 2017 Shenzhen International.
Wiesberger started the day a shot clear of playing partner MacIntyre at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort but the duo could not be separated after 15 holes, with both men producing some stunning golf.
Wiesberger hit a wonderful tee shot to birdie the par three 16th and, with the Scot going out of bounds off the 17th tee, the 33-year-old took a two shot lead up the 18th.
He then made a bogey on the last after finding a hazard off the tee to sign for a round of 66 and get to 14 under par, sealing a one shot victory after MacIntyre parred the last.
Wiesberger said: “I’m over the moon. It’s been an emotional couple of days, but it’s been great playing well over here and getting back into the winner’s circle after a couple of hard months. That’s behind me hopefully and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.
“I’ve not looked at a single leaderboard all day other than ours. I thought the way we played there was virtually no chance that someone could get close, especially after 15 holes or so it was just like one on one.
“I got up on him a couple at 16 and 17 but nothing that takes away from his amazing performance this week. He played so well a couple of weeks ago in Hillside as well and he’ll get one very soon, I told him that. It was a very good experience being in that match play situation.
“I had so many great people helping me and getting me back to where I am right now. I’ve had so much support, it’s been amazing, and I’m proud to pay it back that way. I’m so thankful to so many people who have been there for me in the last year.
“It’s been such a great week here, I’ve enjoyed myself so much. I’ve loved the way I’ve started playing.”
For the 22-year-old European Challenge Tour graduate, it was a second consecutive runner up finish in just his 15th European Tour event – he turned pro having lost the 2016 British Amateur final to Hampshire’s Scott Gregory, who earned his card via the European Tour Qualifying School, in Spain, in November.
MacIntyre, who was looking to become the third Scot to win on the European Tour after David Law and Stephen Gallacher’s success in Australia and India respectively, said: “I thought I gave it everything I had. It was a poor shot on 17 that really cost me. I had to get it down 18 with a sniff and I did have a chance but Bernd played brilliantly all day.
“I hit two of the worst wedge shots I’ve hit in a long time on the two holes before 17. I didn’t want to leave myself with another 110 yards so we decided to get it right down. The wind suited us but it’s the worst swing I’ve probably put on a shot in a long, long time, but I’m young, I live and I learn,” said the 2017 Walker Cup player, who won both the Scottish Youths and Boys Strokeplay titles in 2013.
“When it’s your day, it’s your day, and today wasn’t my day. You’ve just got to keep plodding on. The form is there, so in my head I’m going all out and we’ll see what lies ahead,” added MacIntyre, who played for Scotland in the Eisenhower Trophy, in Mexico, in 2016.
Frenchman Romain Langasque – who won the British Amateur in 2015 and beat Gregory in the Spanish Amateur Final in early 2016, carded a round of 66 to finish at 11-under – two shots clear of Ireland’s Paul Dunne, Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal, English pair Chris Paisley and Oliver Wilson, and German Max Schmitt.
Spain’s Alejandro Cañizares, Austri’s Matthias Schwab and Essex’s Matthew Southgate were a shot further back at eight-under.
