Marcus Armitage carded a dazzling final-round 7-under 65 to claim his maiden tour title at the Porsche European Open.
The 33-year-old Englishman, who started the day tied for 11th-place, carded six birdies and one eagle to rocket up the leaderboard at Green Eagle Golf Course, and reach 8 under for the tournament.
After completing his round, Armitage waited in the clubhouse to see if anyone could join him atop the big board in Hamburg, Germany.
Matthew Southgate (71), came closest: the overnight co-leader was 7 under through 17 and needed just a birdie on the par-5 18th to force a playoff. But the Englishman drove his ball into the water, ending his chances for the title, and sealing victory for his compatriot.
Armitage, who lost his mother to cancer as a teenager, was clearly emotional after becoming a first-time tour champion.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, it’s a new feeling I suppose,” he said, choking back tears.
“When I had a practice round the other day I’ve never lost so many balls in a practice round in my life.
“To be stood here being Porsche European Open champion is pretty cool.
“I’m an emotional guy, I’m struggling to keep a lid on it here. I was just trying to breathe and be calm, not touch my phone because that will be going berserk.
“But then you start thinking about everybody at home like my fiancée. 20 years ago I lost my mum and I’ve dreamt about this since that day, being a winner, and you have days where you think it might not happen but I just stuck at it.
“Today is a great day and I’m sure she would be proud, and everybody in my team that’s helped me – this one’s for me.
“All those days on my own dealing with life and I’m sure a lot of people do, all those lonely days on my own working on my dream and I think I’ve got to take a lot of credit for it myself.”
The win earned Armitage €179,670 (or $254,716.36 USD) and moved him into the top 30 of the Race to Dubai. He also secured an invite into next week’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
Southgate’s closing bogey dropped him from solo second into a four-way tie for the silver on 6 under, alongside Italy’s Edoardo Molinari (70), Belgium’s Thomas Detry (69) and Dutchman Darius Van Driel (71).
England’s Paul Casey, the defending champion, closed with a 68 to grab solo sixth on 4 under.
2021 Porsche European Open
Top-5 Leaders: Final Round
Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Marcus Armitage -8 (-7)
2. Thomas Detry -6 (-3)
2. Eduardo Molinari -6 (-2)
2. Darius Van Driel -6 (-2)
2. Matthew Southgate -6 (-1)
Material from the European Tour Communications was used to compile this report.
