Carl Suneson of Spain produced a final round back nine stamped with class and authority to secure his first European Tour title at the OPEN DE SAINT-OMER presented by NEUFLIZE OBC 2007.
The 39 year old may have bogeyed the last hole for a three under par 69, but he could have taken another two putts and still won the tournament, such was the quality of his last round performance that secured the €83,330 first prize ahead of second placed François Calmels of France, Australia’s Peter Fowler and England’s Marcus Higley.
With none of the chasing pack mounting a serious challenge, Suneson played without a care in the world, birdieing the 12th, 14th and 17th holes after turning in level par to establish a four stroke lead as he came down the 18th.
His bogey five at the last, “the best bogey of my career”, did nothing to dampen what became a celebration packed with joy and emotion, as Suneson dedicated his victory to his 94 year old grandfather, Cyril Jewsbury, or ‘Bunx’ as he is affectionately known in the Suneson family.
“My grandfather introduced my family to this game and he always said he wanted me to win on Tour before he died,” explained Suneson with a tear in his eye. “I want to dedicate this to him.
“I am delighted to win, it is a fantastic feeling to win. It’s unbelievable, to have led going into the last round and to get through it is amazing.
“I played well today and I couldn’t believe how I felt. I don’t know who was helping me out there because I felt very calm.
“I was also lucky that no-one was attacking me. I was leading by one and Higley made bogey on the first and I just told myself to wait for the birdie to come because I don’t have to force any situation.
“They have to come for me so that’s what I did and no-one came for me so it was kind of relaxing and I just tried to miss on the right side if I was going to miss. I made bogey on the last but it was a nice bogey – I think you could say the best bogey of my career! I just thought that I would take two putts from there.”
Suneson’s victory, in his 256th European Tour event, ensures his place on Tour until the end of the 2008 season, and secures him a place at the HSBC Champions tournament in China at the end of the year.
To listen to our interview with winner Carl Suneson clickhere.
