Staff Reporter.
File Photo.
England’s Richard Bland won his first tournament on the European Tour at the 478th attempt with victory in the British Masters at The Belfry.
The 48-year-old took the first hole of a sudden-death play-off against Guido Migliozzi to earn the win.
Bland and Italian Migliozzi had finished on 13 under after respective final rounds of 66 and 68.
“My game had been trending in the right way and I’d worked really hard this year,” said an emotional Bland.
“I just drove the ball so well this week. I’ve gone back to my old driver.”
Bland holed a 28-foot putt on the 18th to finish off a six-under bogey-free fourth round of 66.
It meant he headed into the clubhouse with a one-shot lead but Migliozzi, who missed a birdie putt on the 17th to move 14 under, forced a play-off.
The 18th was the first play-off hole and Bland rolled in a three-foot putt for victory, becoming the oldest first-time winner in European Tour history.
England’s Eddie Pepperell took a one-shot lead into the final round but a 73 left him on nine under.