Kinhult Claims Maiden Title In Southport

Marcus Kinhult claimed his maiden European Tour title as he edged out Matt Wallace on the final hole at the British Masters. The 22-year-old Swede, who had missed the last four cuts on the Tour going into this weekend’s event at Hillside Golf Links, looked like he might have to settle for second spot as Wallace was leading by one going into the 17th.

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However, when the Englishman missed a four-foot putt for birdie on the penultimate hole and spurned another shot from 15-foot at the 18th, Kinhult held his nerve to birdie both to finish on two-under-par 70 for his final round and 16 under for the tournament.

After picking up a winner’s cheque of £500,000, he told Sky Sports: “I’m speechless. I don’t know what happened the last two hours. I was behind and Matt looked really solid but I just managed to make those two birdies. “There’s a lot going through your mind and emotions but I’m just so happy to handle those pretty well.

This game is so weird, it’s small margins. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for 20 years.” Wallace was joined in second place on 15-under by fellow Englishman Eddie Pepperell, who finished with a six-under-par 66, and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre. Tournament host Tommy Fleetwood recorded a final-round 73 and finished down in a tie for 10th place.