25th – 28th August 2011
Johnnie Walker Championship, Gleneagles, Scotland
After a fog delayed the start of the 10th Johnnie Walker championship, a dramatic five man, five-hole play off rounded off this exciting tournament - the first in the European Tour since the BMW International Open in 1992.
Looking smart in Lyle & Scott clothing, Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal entered the play off on the 11-under-par mark of 277. He was joined by South African George Coetzee – who sported a range of titleist caps and footjoy shirts during the tournament, Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, Englishman Mark Foster and leading Dane, Thomas Bjorn.
But Larrazabal took an early bath and out of the playoff after carding a six, after his chip for birdie from over the green went nearly five feet past the hole. This followed Wiesberger who was first to leave, also running up a six on the first extra hole after driving into a bush and taking a penalty drop.
The crowd was then entertained by Bjorn, Coetzee and Foster with three like for like birdies. It was then Fosters turn to exit on the fourth extra hole after leaving his 20 foot putt from the rough short, leaving Bjorn and Coetzee to battle it out over the superb Gleneagles golf course.
In the end it was 40 year old Thomas Bjorn who triumphed after an exquisite 7 Iron to within three feet setup yet another birdie when Coetzee could only manage a par. Bjorn, who not only picks up the £233,330 winners cheque, but now also moves into 8th position in the Race To Dubai.
A delighted Bjorn said, “The way I played the last three playoff holes, I can't be more proud of what I did. Everything was pretty spot on and those wedges I hit in on the playoff holes three and four were special, but that 7 iron on the fifth playoff hole was probably one of the best golf shots I've ever hit.”
Second place Coetzee said of his performance, “I think I did well. I stayed with it. I'm quite happy with the way I handled it. I'll take second place, it's an improvement on my best finish. Next time I'll go one better. Hopefully.”
