Record-breaking win for Pieters

30 August 2015 04:31

Belgium's Thomas Pieters made history as he claimed his maiden European Tour title, clinching the Czech Masters in Prague with a three-shot victory.

The 23-year-old's triumph made him the youngest Belgian to win in European Tour history, aged 23 years and 215 days as he beat Philippe Toussaint's previous record of 25 years and 48 days when he won the 1974 Benson and Hedges Festival.

Overnight leader Pieters, who turned professional two years ago, recorded a final round 69 - after recovering from a double bogey on the front nine - which included five birdies as he sealed a 20 under par win.

Three shots further back at the Albatross Golf Resort, closest competitor Pelle Edberg, who trailed by one shot after the third round, recorded birdies on the first, second and ninth holes, but bogeys on the third and 11th saw him finish with 71 on 17 under.

England's former US amateur champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who had been in touch with the leaders all weekend, impressed as he began his final round with four consecutive birdies before eventually finishing a shot further back thanks to a final round 68 to come home third.

Compatriot Robert Dinwiddie was fourth after three birdies on the front nine before a mixed back nine of three bogeys and two further birdies saw him finish with 70.

Three shots further back and in a three-way tie for fifth were Italy's Renato Paratore, Roope Kakko of Finland and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen.

Scotland's Craig Lee was a shot further back in a five-way tie for eighth following a round of 70 which included birdies on the third and 18th holes.

Source: PA