He won countless amateur titles and has triumphed seven times as a professional in his native South Africa, but Hennie Otto finally savoured the joy of being a European Tour champion when he triumphed in the Methorios Capital Italian Open.
The 31 year old, beaten in a play-off by Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth in the Madeira Islands Open BPI –Portugal six weeks ago, finally got it right at the sunkissed Castello di Tolscinasco Golf and Country Club – but he had to survive a nervy final few holes before claiming the €283,330 (£221,303) first prize and a priceless exemption on The European Tour until the end of the 2010 season.
In Madeira, Otto surrendered a five shot lead and despite holding on to his four shot overnight advantage through the majority of the front nine of the final round in Italy, when he dropped a shot at the 12th, he was suddenly level with Englishman Oliver Wilson who stormed into contention with four birdies in a row from the 11th.
However, this time Otto responded in magnificent fashion by sinking a 20 foot birdie putt on the 433 yard 13th, before four consecutive pars took him to the 18th tee with a one shot lead, Wilson having finished with an excellent 64 – the lowest round of the final day – for a 24 under par total of 264.
His tee shot narrowly avoided a bunker and, knowing he needed a par four to win, he had to play his second shot with one foot in the sand and one foot on the grass. Undaunted, he conjured up one of the shots of his life to find the putting surface.
He two putted for a 69 and a 25 under par total of aggregate of 263 which, as well as being the lowest score in the tournament’s history since it joined the European Tour – beating the 265 total posted by Francesco Molinari in 2006 – he also produced the lowest winning total of the 2008 European Tour season.
"I thought I was under the lip of the bunker on the last but when I saw where it finished I said to my caddie 'let's just get this on the green, two putt and go home,” said Otto.
"It's great to win at last. I have been working very hard on my putting and I don't think I've ever holed more long putts than I did this week."
For Wilson, the 27 year old former Walker Cup player, a superb 64 meant a third runners-up finish of the season and a sixth in all.
“Going out there I was six behind and just went out there to get second more than anything,” he said. “I got off to a good start and just played steady and nicely and got it going through the middle of the round. I didn’t quite hit it close enough on the last few holes to put real pressure on him but I shot eight under so I can’t really complain.
“At the end of the day I want to win and I want to win badly but if I keep getting into contention it is only a matter of time before it happens. I have played great this week and I am sure it will not be long. There are some big tournaments coming up so we will see how I go in those.”
Swede Robert Karlsson, who broke the Castello di Tolcinasco course record with his Friday 61, finished third after his closing 67 for a 23 under par total of 265 and joint fourth were England's Phillip Archer and German Marcel Siem on 21 under par 267.
Karlsson said: “It was a good try I suppose but I haven’t really played that well over the weekend and that is why I have come up a bit short. I had good enough round today with no bogeys which was pleasing but once again I didn’t manage to hole the putts, left a couple on the lip, but that is the way it goes.
“I have no regrets about coming here rather than Sawgrass, it was definitely the right decision for me to make. I have got some more World Ranking points this week and also some Ryder Cup points and I am heading to Ireland, BMW and Wales fresher, so it is all good.”
Further down the final leaderboard, although he did not win, two time Major champion John Daly admitted he had thoroughly enjoyed himself on his first visit to Castello di Tolcinasco and hinted it might not be the last time European golf fans get to see the Wild Thing in action in person.
“I’ve really enjoyed my last two weeks in Europe and I wish I was making it three in a row and going to Ireland,” said Daly who finished with a final round 67 for a 13 under par total of 275 and a share of 23rd place.
“But my charity back home also means a lot to me. It’s a boys and girls club tournament, and we’ve got a lot of legendary singers coming over for it. It’s in my home town, Arkansas.
“As to my next tournament, I may be playing in Wales and I know I’m also playing in the BMW in Munich. As to taking up Membership of The European Tour, I don’t know, we’ll see what happens. I’m probably going to play seven or eight more tournaments in the States, and maybe six or seven over here. Then I’ll make a decision at the end of the year.
“But I enjoy it over here in Europe and I wouldn’t rule out a full season over here. There are so many courses back home you can’t use your driver on, whereas over here you’ve got more traditional golf courses. You’re able to use your driver more and enjoy the game. It makes it more fun for the players, and the fans.”
