FRANCE’S Alexander Levy won the Volvo China Open for the second time in four years after beating South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli in a play-off in Beijing.
Levy birdied the 18th hole in regulation to complete a closing 67 and repeated the feat on the first extra hole after Frittelli missed his own longer attempt. The pair had finished tied on 17 under par after overnight leader Frittelli could only manage a 74 in the final round at Topwin Golf and Country Club.
“This means a lot because it was the first tournament I won on the European Tour,” Levy said. “It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the winner’s circle.
“I won last year after a bad injury and to come back with the win was very tough for me. I’m really happy with what I did today. I want to say happy birthday to my caddie because it’s his birthday today and I think it’s a really good present.”
Frittelli began the day with a three-shot lead and was five clear when nearest challenger Pablo Larrazabal bogeyed the first two holes.
The 26-year-old was still four ahead with seven holes to play, before running up a double bogey on the 12th after his drive finished up against the base of a tree and forced him to take a penalty drop. A birdie on the 15th – where he drove the green on the short par four – gave Frittelli a two-shot lead, but another errant tee shot on the next came to rest under a large boulder and led to a bogey.
Levy then carded his sixth birdie of the day on the 18th to catch Frittelli, who could not make a winning birdie on the same hole despite being able to get a favourable drop after hitting his approach over a hospitality tent to the left of the green.
“It stings a little bit,” said Frittelli. “I let it go there in the end but I’m still proud of the way I played this week – 17 under par on this golf course is nothing to scoff at.”
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