Jaidee in seventh heaven at European Open
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It was a seventh win for Thongchai Jaidee after he held off Graeme Storm in Germany to become just the second Asian player – the first was Isao Aoki at Sunningdale in 1983 – to capture the European Open.
The 45-year-old Thai player, who will make his Presidents Cup debut in two weeks, came to the last needing a par but then hit the greenside hospitality unit before a lengthy ruling after his ball finished in between some re-laid turf.
But he chipped up to eight feet and rolled the putt in.
Storm was second in this event 10 years ago when Kennie Ferrie prevailed at the K Club but he did have the consolation of securing his card for 2016.
Jaidee said: “It’s a very special week for me. It is the third time I have won outside of Asia, so I’m very excited about that and I’m happy to win this tournament.
"I’m feeling very confident at the moment. I didn’t make many mistakes this week – only one bogey all week.
"It was very exciting on the last three holes. The 18th is tough and you can’t miss the fairway. I had to go left and then it was a good chip and a good putt at the last to win.”