Pablo Larrazabal claims second BMW title in Germany

Pablo Larrazabal attributed his second BMW International Open title to a flying start as he carded a final-day 66 to see off the challenge of Henrik Stenson in Munich.

The Spaniard reached the turn in a five-under-par 31 and added a crucial sixth birdie on the 16th to finish 17 under, one shot ahead of the Swede.

Stenson fired himself right into the mix with an eagle at the par-five 11th as well as five birdies in a round of 65, but ultimately had to settle for second place as Larrazabal’s nerve held over the closing holes.

Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey carded four birdies in five holes to go out in four-under 32 to briefly take a share of the lead on 15 under. His challenge faltered after back to back bogeys on the 13th and 14th as he closed with a two-under 70 to finish in a tie for seventh spot on 13 under.

Larrazabal, the 32-year-old from Barcelona, said: “I knew that I was in a good position, two groups ahead, and I knew that I had to start very fast. I had to start with a few birdies in the first holes and I started very well.

“I think I was five under for the front nine and hitting the ball great, as well as I have hit it all year, and my putting was awesome. I made a lot of great putts.

“Coming in, it’s tough coming in. You have a lot of holes with a lot of trouble, so I knew I needed to put myself in a good position to make birdies. I made birdie on 16, a great shot.

“I had memories from the past – I lost the tournament over there back in 2010, going 19 under par with three to play, and I lost it over there, so I had that in my mind, ‘Put it on the green and try to make the putt’. If not, four is a great score in 16.”

Stenson’s birdie at 18 briefly left him in a tie for the lead, but a three for Larrazabal on the 16th proved decisive.

Asked if he was aware on the course how close the Swede had been to him, he replied: “I knew, I knew exactly.

“Henrik is not German but he has a lot of German friends, and we could hear the roar. That kind of roar is for \[Martin] Kaymer or for one of the best in the world, and I knew that Henrik was coming fast. But he birdied the last and I birdied 16.”

It was Larrazabal’s second win in Munich and fourth on the European tour, and it came two months before he is to marry girlfriend Gala Alten.

He said: “In two months I will be a married man, so this is awesome. Being with her again around Munich and around this beautiful golf course – this is a place that has given us a lot of great memories and being married to her is a dream come true.”

Stenson's late flourish took him one shot clear of England's Chris Paisley, whose 15 under par four-round total of 273 earned him third place in his own right, although he might have claimed a share of second with a long putt on the 18th which came up just short.

South African Retief Goosen tied for fourth with Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and another Spaniard, Carlos del Moral, a further stroke back.

It proved a sobering day for overnight leader James Morrison. The 30-year-old English golfer did not make a single birdie and carded no fewer than five bogeys as his chance of glory slipped away amid the charge ahead of him.

Darren Clarke carded three birdies in his final six holes to card a second successive three-under 69 to finish on nine under.

Shane Lowry went out in five-over 41 but rescued his round with four birdies on the back nine to card a 73 for seven under, a shot clear of Damien McGrane, who closed with a 72.

Peter Lawrie ended with a 75 to close on four under, while Kevin Phelan's miserable weekend saw him add a 75 to Saturday's 76 to end up on two over.