Behind the chaos of the lengthy play-off and its dramatic conclusion on Sunday, Garrick Higgo calmly stitched together a final round of four-under-par 68 to grab a share of fourth in the European Tour’s Austrian Golf Open.
Three birdies and a bogey on his opening nine, and two birdies on his way home saw the young left-handed South African to a tournament total of eight-under-par 280, six shots off the lead which was shared by American John Catlin and German Maximilian Kieffer, who had to settle things in a sudden-death play-off.
In the end, Catlin prevailed for his third European Tour title in eight months. Both men had good chances as the first four trips back up the par-three last were halved but Kieffer found the water three times at the fifth time of asking and Catlin took the crown with a bogey.
German Martin Kaymer was three shots out of the play-off at 11-under, three clear of England’s Marcus Armitage, Dutchman Wil Besseling and Higgo.
Higgo climbed 44 places in the Race to Dubai to 84th with his performance, and to 100th in the world rankings, edging closer to his 2021 starting position of 90th.
Behind him, Jacques Kruyswijk battled to score after starting the final round within striking distance of the lead. He made three birdies and two bogeys on his was to a one-under 71, and a share of seventh place.
Justin Walters also carded a final-round 71 for a share of 21sst, and Zander Lombard raced up the leaderboard with an eagle, five birdies and a bogey for his 66 and a share of 24th.