Richie Ramsay recovered from dropping four shots in the space of two holes to claim a dramatic one shot victory at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco.
The Scot had looked on course for a third European Tour title when he birdied four holes in a row from the third to race clear at Golf du Palais Royal, but after a bogey on the seventh duffed two chips at the short eighth en route to a triple bogey six.
A brilliant tee shot to a couple of feet at the 12th started his recovery, and he birdied the 13th and 14th as well for a three under par 69 and ten under total.
That left Romain Wattel needing to pick up two shots over the closing two holes – he had chipped in for par on the 15th to keep his hopes alive - but after birdieing the 17th the Frenchman failed to find the 18th green in two and had to settle for second on nine under after a closing 70.
Speaking of his exploits at the eighth, Ramsay said: “I made six, as simple as that. I just didn’t execute the shot the way I wanted too – hit a poor chip, it came back in the divot, wouldn’t come out, chipped on and two putts – easy six!
“I knew I was still in the mix and I made great putts on nine and ten just to keep the momentum going.
“I stood over the putt on the 12th hole and I just thought my putter feels absolutely great, I could see all the lines.
“I thought ‘just go for it, this is your time’. - Richie Ramsay
Ramsay, who won at Leopard Creek in South Africa at the start of the 2010 season and picked up a second title in Switzerland three years ago, had not picked up a single cheque this season before his win, having missed four cuts out of five and withdrawn injured when he made the weekend in Dubai.
And the 31 year old was quick to thank those closest to him after an incredible change in fortunes.
George Coetzee, who had required a win to sneak a place in the Masters Tournament in a fortnight’s time, was part of a six way tie for third on eight under along with fellow South African Jaco Van Zyl, Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal, Swede Mikael Lundberg, Ireland’s Kevin Phelan and England’s Chris Wood.
And amongst those a shot further back was former Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal, whose closing 66 gave him the 150th top-ten finish of his European Tour career.
“I didn’t expect this earlier in the week,” said the Spaniard, who will be at Augusta National next month as a two-time winner of the event.
“The first day I put together a decent score and struggled Friday, then yesterday it all fitted in on the back nine. Today was a bit like yesterday and I was really happy with my score.
“I saw the leaderboard on 18 and knew I had a putt to lead in the clubhouse. It’s nice to have a round like this and a tournament like this for confidence.
