Paul Casey completed a remarkable weekend’s work as a final round 66 saw him win a 13th European Tour title at the KLM Open.
The Englishman was eight strokes adrift at the halfway stage and only made the cut by two shots, but matched the course record with a 62 on Saturday and was imperious again on Sunday as his 14 under par total saw him run out a one shot winner over Simon Dyson at Kennemer Golf & Country Club.
Four behind leader Romain Wattel overnight, Casey raced to the turn in 32 to capture a one shot lead and was never caught on the way in to complete an emotional fortnight.
The 37 year old’s fiancée Pollyanna gave birth to the couple’s son on September 1, with Casey quipping: “First tournament as a Dad and first win as a Dad!"
Romain Wattel held an overnight lead of three shots after a third round 64, but despite nearest challenger Richie Ramsay bogeying two of his first three holes, other players swiftly closed in.
Most prominently, Casey got up-and-down from the edge of the green at the long second for birdie and then hit his tee shot at the par three next to tap-in range.
Casey moved to within striking distance with a 15 foot birdie putt at the fifth, and took the lead when he found the seventh green in two and two-putted for another gain as Wattel bogeyed the same hole.
Wattel dropped a second shot of the day at the 11th but got it straight back at the long 12th, where Casey did well to save par after a wayward drive.
Wattel then bogeyed the 13th after a poor second, and a magnificent drive left Casey with a simple up-and-down at the 14th for a birdie that briefly took him two clear.
Only a second bogey of the weekend followed at the 15th, but Wattel fell away with a 74 and three-time tournament winner Dyson ultimately left his challenge too late as he stormed home in 30 for a 65.
“I’m a bit emotional to be honest,” added Casey. “It was very care free for three and a half days, because if I played well or poorly I was going to go home to see my baby, and then I got to the last three holes and I thought I really want this - not that he is old enough to understand.
“This tournament has been going for more than 90 years and looking at the names on the trophy, you have Seve, Langer, Payne Stewart. It’s got some great names so to add my name to that is a great honour.
“Just having my first child was a great distraction. I had no expectations coming into the week and I did very little pratice, although I’ve played good golf. Even flying in Wednesday morning to spend as much time at home as possible, so I was apprehensive as to how I was going to play. I couldn’t have dreamed it would turn out this way. It’s not that I wasn’t trying my hardest on the course, but you just don’t know how it will turn out.
“I’m absolutely over the moon.”
He wasn’t the only one – compatriot Andy Sullivan aced the 15th in a round of 67 that left him third on 12 under, with the prize for a hole-in-one a trip into space.
“It was such a rollercoaster out there today and this week so to top it off by going to space is great,” said the former Walker Cup star. “I was on the comeback after a few bad holes and the caddie pulled out a nine iron and said try to cut it in there, luckily it came off and it went in.
“I’m not sure if I’ll go, I’ll check with the missus. I’m not great with heights or flying! I might have to pluck up some coverage. I don’t think spaceman is a new nickname for me.
“My daughter will think I’m the best dad in the world – a professional golfer and an astronaut, she’s got the best dad in the world! I’m going to have to pluck up some serious courage, but it is a once in a lifetime experience, so I’m going to have to do it.
“My caddie just shout to me, ‘we’re going to space’. I was in hysterics. It’s just an unreal experience. I didn’t play great through the round and then I hit a shot like that. I had two twos on there, but not been close to it. So I wasn’t really even thinking about it.
“It’s been such a rollercoaster of a day. I just strapped myself in and went for the ride. Overall it’s been a great week and I’ve really enjoyed myself here at the KLM Open.”
