Denmark's Thomas Björn has won the golf European Masters in Crans-Montana, shooting a 9-under 62 to secure back-to-back titles for the first time in his career.
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Björn made nine birdies and an eagle in the final round to finish with a 20-under total of 264, four shots clear of Germany’s Martin Kaymer, to earn the €333,333 (SFr373,969) winner’s prize in the Swiss resort on Sunday.
The victory comes a week after the 40-year-old won a five-man playoff at Gleneagles, Scotland, and is his third title of the year. Prior to 2011, he had not won two titles in one year on the European Tour since 1998. It’s his 13th victory on the European Tour International Schedule in his 369th tournament on the circuit.
The fifth-ranked Kaymer finished his round with ten straight pars for a 65 while Rory McIlroy shot 68 to finish tied for third at 15 under with Jaco van Zyl of South Africa and overnight leader Jamie Donaldson of Wales.
Björn, a non-playing vice-captain for Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup last year, also took the early lead in the qualification race to defend the trophy in the United States next year.
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