Catlin shows true git in Austria; Sharvin and Dunne finish in the red
John Catlin. Picture: Getty Images
Reigning Dubai Duty Free Irish Open champion John Catlin won the Austrian Golf Open and his third European Tour title in the space of seven months when he beat Germany's Maximilian Kieffer with a bogey at the fifth hole of a dramatic sudden-death playoff.
The American (30) closed with a seven-under 65 to Kieffer's 66 in cold conditions at Diamond Country Club where they tied on 14-under, three shots clear of Martin Kaymer as Cormac Sharvin (71) finished tied 28th on two-under with Paul Dunne (71) a shot further back in 33rd.
But after Kieffer (30) looked to put one hand on the trophy by draining a 35 footer for birdie on their third trip down the 184-yard 18th, Catlin knocked in a tester for his two, then produced a miraculous sand save on the fourth extra hole to stay alive.
It all ended when Kieffer found the water three times on their fifth sudden-death trip down the 18th and ran up a quintuple eight to Catlin's bogey four.
The American won the Irish Open in tough conditions at Galgorm Castle last September, and he admitted that experience stood to him yesterday.
"I would say it was similar conditions," said Catlin, who breaks into the top-80 in the world, guaranteeing him his first Major start in next month's PGA Championship "Cold, windy, a little bit of rain. Getting that win gave me a lot of confidence for this week.
He added: “It’s kind of part of being a professional golfer, you’ve got to be able to play in everything. Whether it’s 110 degrees and you’re sweating or it’s 30 and you’re bundled up like you’re going for a day of skiing. “You’ve got to be able to play no matter what’s going on. I think that’s the one cool thing about playing here in Europe, you get to play in all types of conditions and it’s given me the opportunity to fine-tune my game in all of those.”
As for his Major debut, he likes his chances and believes he could challenge for a Ryder Cup debut if he breaks into the world’s top 50.
“That was my goal at the start of the year, to qualify for my first Major Championship,” he said. “I’m looking forward to that challenge. Kiawah Island is no walk in the park. I’ve done well on challenging golf courses. I like my chances.
“I would love to represent the US. Europe has been kicking our butt for a little while, so it’d be nice to have the opportunity to dish it back.
“Top 50 in the World opens up all doors – to play Majors, WGCs, the Players, a certain number of sponsor’s exemptions. That’s basically my goal.”
According to 15th Club’s Justin Ray: “Catlin is one of two American players in European Tour history to have three or more wins – but no major championships. Bob Byman won four times on the European Tour from 1977 to 1982.”
