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Haotong Li, 26, held a three-stroke lead over Pieters heading into the final day at Golfclub München Eichenried, tucking in a huge putt over 8 meters on the final hole to clinch the title with a final card of 70 (- 2) to – 22 total.

In the play-off on the last par five of the 18, Pieters had posted an excellent 67 (-5), finding a bunker with his second shot, while Li's approach went over the green. After Pieters missed his 3m putt, Li cleared his third shot, staking a putt over 8 yards just to stay in the running.

wow! 🤯

Haotong Li wins in style. One of the best putts he will hit in his career!#BMWInternationalOpen pic.twitter.com/1SeNxC9qa9

- DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 26, 2022

But Li produced a moment of grace as he landed his birdie putt, Pieters pushing his effort over the hole, handed the Chinese his first victory after more than four years of starvation as Li was overcome with emotion .

Li also secured a place for the 150th Scottish Open at St Andrews next month after rising to 17th in the DP World Tour rankings in partnership with Rolex, securing one of five places for those who are not not otherwise exempted in the top 20 of the season standings. after the BMW International Open.

Ryan Fox's superb form continued as he finished third in solo at 20 under par while Finland's Sami Välimäki finished fourth at -18.

Player Quotes

Li Haotong: “Hard work pays off. To be honest, there is a little story behind today. Ten months ago, I met my friend Zhi (Yang), who is my caddy now. The first week I said to him 'Man, I don't want to play golf anymore' I probably needed to do something else. It's always him outside, who continues to take care of me. I talk so much bullshit to him, I get so mad at him so often, I fight, he was with me through the tough times, all the time. There are so many people I have to thank. My parents, my mother, my father, my sister, my family, my sponsors, you boys. I can't say enough. »

“Yesterday we finished late, so I thought I needed some practice. I couldn't eat or sleep last night. I probably slept five hours tops, but I dreamed of holding the trophy. Things still happened to me. It's just amazing. »

“On the 16th I thought I hit a tree and the bullet could have gone anywhere. Fortunately, she was there. I didn't see the rebound. As soon as I got that token, I thought I had a chance to even the score. Fortunately, I did and the 17 was super important. I kept telling myself that I had to do them. Like 18, I probably hit him a little hard. Somehow the image when I was against Rosey and Rory, the image, the feeling just came out. I felt like I was going to make the putt, but I didn't. But the barrage hole was a treat. A delight. »

“The tee shot (on the shoot-off) was slightly better than yesterday. But not really. I hit the same tree again but luckily I got through it. The lie wasn't great. Normally it would be a four iron, but I hit a hybrid, open face, tried to cut it and go to the green because it's a shoot-off. You have to be aggressive and I pushed him a little bit. I thought it would stop on the green, but I got lucky anyway. I was placed on the lie, couldn't be better… Somehow I made the putt. Even after that one, I thought Tom would make the putt and set up for a second play-off hole- A normal guy would win, but I'm the opposite. Luckily, I'm on the safe side today. »

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To read our last article on the same subject :

TaylorMade Golf signs two-time DP World Tour champion Haotong Li