Ewen Ferguson claimed his third DP World Tour title and a place at The Open as a closing 68 handed him a two-shot win at the BMW International Open in Germany.
The Scot entered the final day at Golfclub München Eichenried in a share of the lead with Jordan Smith and the duo were engaged in an thrilling battle throughout an entertaining Sunday.
A two-shot swing on the 14th proved the turning point, however, and Ferguson held his nerve down the stretch to get to 18 under and was in tears as a closing par ensured he lifted the trophy.
Ferguson, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Saturday, produced a brilliant display of frontrunning on a wet final day in Munich, with a trio of birdies and a single dropped shot on the front nine giving him a slender advantage over Smith as they made the turn.
The 2021 European Challenge Tour graduate did not blink down the stretch, with back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th opening a three-stroke lead over Smith, who dropped a shot at the 14th, giving Ferguson the luxury of being able to par his way home as he joined countrymen Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie as Scottish winners of the BMW International Open.
The victory also earns him a place at Royal Troon via the Race to Dubai rankings, with then win also taking inside the world’s top 100.
Jesper Svensson, Laurie Canter, Nacho Elvira and Matteo Manassero also booked their places at The Open as part of the top five players on the Race to Dubai not already exempt, while Guido Migliozzi confirmed his status as the winner of the European Swing.
Smith carded a 70 to finish tied second at 16 under alongside Australian David Micheluzzi, who signed for a 68 thanks to a stunning closing eagle, two clear of England’s Matthew Southgate and Scot Connor Syme. Belgian Matthis Besard, Swede Jens Dantorp and Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino were at 13 under in a tie for sixth.
