2013 Golf: Thomas Bjorn Wins Omega European Masters In Playoff

Thomas Bjorn won his second Omega European Masters in three years on Sunday afternoon in a one hole playoff with third round leader, Craig Lee. The two players ended regulation play at the 72nd hole tied at 20 under par, and proceeded back to the 18th tee to settle the championship. Although Lee found the fairway bunker off the tee, both players got to the green in two, and 42 year-old Bjorn made his birdie putt, and Lee didn’t.

The victory at the beautiful Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Course in Crans-Montana, Seitzerland was Bjorns first since winning here in 2011. He beat 2010 PGA Champion, Martin Kaymer with an identical 20 under score. The difference was, he beat Kaymer in regulation by four strokes.

Thomas Bjorn, who is from Denmark, but makes his home in Sweden, fired a final round bogey free 65 on Sunday. He went to the back nine, down one stroke to the young Scot who shot a 61 on Saturday to grab the overnight lead. He needed a birdie on the back, and was able to get one at the par five 15th hole.

Whatever magic Craig Lee had on Saturday, he couldn’t find it on Sunday. He also fired a bogey free round, but unlike Bjorn, could only manage 67 on the afternoon. The weather was a problem, with a two and half hour delayed start because of fog on the mountain course, and had to deal with rain off and on during the afternoon.

Fog was so dense at times toward the end of regulation that players had to wait before they hit their shots because they weren’t able to see the fairway.

Victor Dubuisson from France, finished one stroke off the pace, and will log a sole third place finish. Alejandro Canizares finished alone in fourth place, with Scot, Ross Fisher rounding out the top five tied at 15 under par with 49 year-old Spaniard, Miguel Angel Jimenez.