Marc Hammer birdied the 72nd hole to post a closing four under par round of 66 and seal his maiden European Challenge Tour title at the Euram Bank Open.
The German, who started the final round four behind 54-hole leader Freddy Schott, carded six birdies and two bogeys to reach ten under par, two clear of Frenchman Pierre Pineau who finished second on eight under at Golf Club Adamstal Franz Wittmann.
The 23-year-old, who won last week’s Weihenstephan Open on the Pro Golf Tour, was delighted to make it back-to-back professional wins this week in Austria and also secure full playing privileges on the Road to Mallorca.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I played amazing and I’m so happy right now. I just won my first tournament as a professional last week on the Pro Golf Tour and to win the following week on the Challenge Tour means a lot.
“This win shows me that I am doing the right things and I am on the right track. I’m so happy because now I can play Challenge Tour every week instead of Pro Golf Tour.
“I played solid today. I missed a lot of greens but luckily figured out my swing towards the end of my round and to birdie 18 was the perfect finish for me.”
Hammer believes a change in putter has been key to his success over the last couple of weeks and is looking to continue his impressive form on home soil at next week’s Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG.
“My long game has been brilliant the whole year, but I couldn’t hole any putts,” he said. “I changed my putter last week and it has made all the difference.
“I’m heading straight to Germany for the next event but hopefully my friend can drive so that I can celebrate with a couple of beers.”
Schott shared third place with Finland’s Oliver Lindell, Scotsman Euan Walker and Spaniard Emilio Cuartero Blanco on seven under par.
Hammer’s victory sees him climb 141 places on the Road to Mallorca Rankings to 25th on 43,547 points. Denmark’s Oliver Hundebøll remains in pole position on the Rankings on 98,796 points.
The Road to Mallorca now travels to Germany for the Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG, taking place from July 21-24, 2022.
