United States’ John Catlin claimed his third European Tour title in eight months after defeating Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer in an exciting playoff battle on the Austrian Open on Sunday.
Catlin completed with a spherical of seven-under-par 65 at Diamond Nation Membership, close to Vienna, to tie for the highest spot at 14-under alongside Kieffer, who survived a mid-round stoop to card a 66.
The pair returned to the par-three 18th gap for the playoff, the place each made par on their first two makes an attempt after which exchanged birdies on the third go to.
A splendid bunker shot helped Catlin save par and keep within the contest on the fourth further gap earlier than a bogey on the subsequent was sufficient to assert victory, as Keiffer discovered water thrice on his method to a quintuple-bogey.
Ranked 124th, Catlin is projected to interrupt into the highest 80 for the primary time in his profession when the world rankings are up to date on Monday.
The 30-year-old is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down as he targets a primary main championship look this season.
“I would like to crack that high 50 on the planet,” Catlin, who gained the Irish Open and Andalucia Masters final yr, mentioned. “Simply get an opportunity to play in some main championships — I’ve really by no means performed in a serious.
“I am considering this provides me an excellent likelihood to play within the U.S. PGA Championship, that was sort of my objective.
“Successful isn’t simple, it would not matter what tour you are taking part in on and to have gotten this one is certainly one thing particular.”