Nicolai von Dellingshausen collected a first DP World Tour title of his career by claiming a hard-fought two-shot victory at the Austrian Alpine Open.
The 32-year-old German went into the final round at Golfclub Gut Altentann a shot adrift of leader and playing partner Marcel Schneider but stormed into the lead after 10 holes, following an birdie-eagle-birdie burst between the 8th and 10th, put him with three shots clear. However, pressure arrived from last week’s Soudal Open winner Kristoffer Reitan who looked to replicate his heroics from last week as he once again produced another sizzling final round display.
The Norwegian, who was on track to card a 59 and become only the second player to achieve a sub-60 on the DP World Tour, went onto card final-round 60 to set a clubhouse target and once again catapult up the leaderboard. But despite a couple of late anxious moments, von Dellingshausen kept his cool parring his way to a final-round 65 to earn a first DP World Tour triumph on his 110th start.
“I can’t describe it, honestly. I’m a little bit lost for words right now,” von Dellingshausen said. “I’m trying really hard not to cry. It’s been such a tough journey the last two-and-a-half years with losing the card.
“It’s all got me to this stage right here and now I’m here!
“Thanks to everyone who came out here and just watched and supported us. It kind of feels like a home tournament for me.
“I love playing in Austria. I always play well when I play here for some reason – must be the food!
“It was just amazing to have so many people coming out here cheering for us.”
Kristoffer Reitan’s stunning final-round display helped propel him to second alongside Schneider on 17 under. Denmark’s Jeff Winther finished three shots adrift in fourth while there was a three-way tie for fifth between England’s Callum Tarren, South Africa’s Jayden Schaper, and German Marcel Siem.
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule is the KLM Open taking place between 5-8 June at The International in Amsterdam.