German joy for Larrazabal

Pablo Larrazabal produced a brilliant display on the final day to win the BMW International Open in Munich by one stroke.

The Spaniard started his round five shots behind overnight leader James Morrison but the latter slipped down the leaderboard after carding a five-over-par 77.

Larrazabal took full advantage of the situation and the 32-year-old fired in six birdies for a six-under 66 to finish on -17 and clinch his fourth win on the European Tour and the first of the year.

There were some nervy moments for the 2008 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year heading into the last two holes but a good up-and-down at the 17th was followed by a solid par at the last, having driven into the fairway bunker.

World number seven Henrik Stenson produced the joint-best round of the day with a seven-under-par 65 to finish just one shot off the pace in second.

Englishman Chris Paisley was pushing hard in the last few holes and a birdie on the 16th left him in striking distance of Larrazabal but a bogey at the next ultimately ended any hopes, and the 29-year-old could not get the required eagle on the 18th to force a play-off, finishing in third position on -15.

Elsewhere, there was a three-way tie for fourth between South African Retief Goosen, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Spain’s Carlos Del Moral on -14.

Tagged BMW International Open, European Tour, Pablo Larrazabal