Kristoffer Broberg beats Patrick Reed in BMW Masters playoff
For the second-consecutive week, the European Tour’s Final Series was site of a breakthrough victory.
Swede Kristoffer Broberg won the BMW Masters on Sunday over American Patrick Reed with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff, locking up his first European Tour win.
Broberg shot 4-under 68 in the final round of regulation at Lake Malaren Golf Club in China, posting 17-under 271. Reed matched on the heels of a hole-out for eagle from a fairway bunker on the par-5 15th.
However, in the extra session, Broberg shined, blasting a driver off the 471-yard finisher, hitting a second shot that rolled back to within 12 feet of the hole. Broberg drained the putt, raising his arms in jubilation before the ball had entirely disappeared.
Byeong-Hun An, Lucas Bjerregaard, Thongchai Jaidee and Henrik Stenson finished tied for third at 16 under par.
The win is not only Broberg’s first, but it also marks the 100th European Tour win by a Swedish player.
The 29-year-old continues a trend toward first-time winners which clearly isn’t limited to the PGA Tour. In the last six European Tour events, three were won by first-timers: Broberg, Russell Knox and Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Danny Willett, who could have taken over the Race to Dubai lead from Rory McIlroy, came up short with a T-28 finish. He will trail McIlroy by just 1,613 points heading into next week’s season finale at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, with a $1.25 million prize on the line to the winner of the season-long points race. If the Race to Dubai winner played in three of four Final Series event, that champion’s haul increase to $1.875 million.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
