South African Otto edges home in Italian Open

AFP ©

MILAN (AFP) - South Africa's Hennie Otto won the Italian Open here on Sunday to finally get off his European Tour duck but it was not without a nervy ending as he let a five-shot lead dwindle.

The 31-year-old Otto only pipped second-placed Oliver Wilson from England by one shot for his maiden win after losing to Scot Alastair Forsyth in a playoff in Madeira in March.

Otto's final hole was not without incident however. He needed a par four to win but he had to play his second shot with one foot in a bunker yet managed a superb shot to within two metres of the flag and two putts were enough to triumph.

His 25-under 263 was just one shot away from the tournament record set by the father of television commentator Peter Alliss, Percy, in 1935.

It was also a great day for 27-year-old Wilson whose final round 64 meant he claimed his third runners-up spot of the season and sixth in all.

Swede Robert Karlsson, who broke the Castello di Tolcinasco course record with his Friday 61, finished third and joint fourth were England's Phillip Archer and German Marcel Siem.

At 22 under par after 54 holes, Otto was only one outside the Tour record held by Ernie Els and David Howell.

He needed a 65 to equal Els' record 29 under at the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, but understandably his focus was on achieving a win that gives him back his Tour membership.

Putting had been his downfall in Madeira and afterwards he said: "You can be a billionaire, but you can't buy a putt."

Otto had led by four shots overnight and was at one point five shots ahead when he made three birdies in the first five holes and made a long putt at the sixth to save par.

Wilson had slotted home birdies from the 11th hole to 14th to put the pressure on, having completed the first nine holes in just 32, while Otto had hit a six at the 12th via a bunker.

However Otto managed to hold on to take the top prize of 221,303 pounds.

Former British Open champion John Daly of the USA closed with a 67 to claim joint 23rd spot for his best performance for some time.