Stirling University golf graduate Mathias Eggenberger claimed his first win on the Alps Pro Tour on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old held the lead after all three rounds in Italy to win the second leg of the Italian Winter Series at Golf Nazionale in Rome.
Having earned his card for the Alps Tour in 2018, Eggenberger was relieved to finally get over the line.
The Swiss golfer said to the Alps Tour: “I’m really happy. It took me a long time but it finally came. I got very close last year but now I’m simply glad I won”.
It was on this course last October that Eggenberger marked his best result on the Alps Tour with a second-place finish at the Golf Nazionale Alps Open.
Davey Porsius of the Netherlands was the chief danger this time around as the Dutchman went out in 33 strokes to join Eggenberger at the top of the leaderboard on Wednesday.
Four birdies in six holes to end his front nine and begin the back nine gave Eggenberger his lead back, a familiar feeling for the former Uni player all week, before cruising to a five-stroke victory.
Tough conditions on Monday didn’t hold back the two-time Arnold Palmer Cup star as he shot to the lead after converting five birdies in a row to end his front nine in round one.
Play was suspended due to darkness but Eggenberger was in the clubhouse with the provisional lead of five-under par.
Renowned for its difficulty, the course proved it on Tuesday as only 21 players were able to score under par, and one of them was the former Uni player.
A gritty one under par 71 was enough to see Eggenberger two shots clear of the field, and with the solo lead heading into the third and final round.
Two dropped shots in his opening three holes on Wednesday made life more difficult but the Winter Series winner was up to the task as he bounced back to shoot a 68 and claim his title with a winning score of ten under par.
After lifting the title, he said: “I had a really solid game along the three days and I managed to hole some important putts at the end which is great.
“I didn’t know I was leading the tournament until the 18th when I looked at the leaderboard and turned out I had a four shots margin to the second place. That made the last putt easier”.
Featured Image Credit: Alps Tour Golf
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