European Open news: Kalle Samooja wins title after stunning final round performance
Finland's Kalle Samooja managed to go eight under-par in the final round of the European Open to claim his first DP World Tour title.
Kalle Samooja managed to overturn a seven-shot deficit during Sunday's Porsche Open action, with the Finn performing when it mattered most in Germany.
Samooja put on a dazzling display late on, firing in eight birdies, including three in the last four holes, to establish a new course record and set the clubhouse target on six under par.
As a result of his remarkable late showing, Samooja ended up on six under-par, two better than Dutch player Wil Besseling in second place.
First victory on Tour 🏆@KalleSamooja wins the #PEO2022 pic.twitter.com/nAhu2pc9pS
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 5, 2022
France's Victor Perez put up a challenge for the title, as he looked for a consecutive tournament win following his Dutch Open success last week.
But after drawing joint-level at the top after the 11th hole, the pressure seemed to come into play, three bogeys in the next four holes ending his title bid.
After winning the title, Samooja wasn't able to hold back the tears as he celebrated his first DP World Tour title.
"It's truly special. It's been a long journey, been close a few times," said Samooja.
"We had a number in mind today and we reached that, we thought it might be enough and it was a long two-hour wait at the clubhouse to see guys battle it out and fortunately it was enough.
A first-time winner on Tour🏆 @KalleSamooja #PEO2022 pic.twitter.com/wiHgy77edW
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 5, 2022
"I was hitting the ball really well all week and when I saw the pins this morning I said to my caddie there's a low one out there. The pins have been on ridges pretty much all week and today they were on the bottom of the slopes.
"We were pretty sure it's going to be a play-off or that we might even miss the play-off. I was just hoping to get a solo second and get a ticket to the US Open but this is a little better."