Zanotti makes history in Germany

Becomes first Paraguay-born player to win on golf’s European Tour.

COLOGNE: Fabrizio Zanotti on Sunday became the first Paraguay-born player to win on the European Tour, defeating world number two Henrik Stenson at the fifth extra play-off hole to capture the BMW International Open near Cologne.

The Asuncion-born player posted a final round 65 to join Stenson (67), Frenchman Gregory Havret (66) and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello (67) in the play-off. After Havret dropped out at the second extra hole, Zanotti matched the birdies of Stenson and Cabrera-Bello at the third extra hole when rain began falling heavily.

Stenson and Cabrera-Bello were then in rough off the tee at the fourth extra hole, the par four 18th, with the Spaniard dropping out after finding water guarding the green with his second shot.

Stenson was forced to lay-up short of the green before then matching Zanotti’s par. However, Stenson then found the water with his tee shot at the fifth extra hole, the shortened par four 17th, with Zanotti laying-up with the aim of getting a par.

Zanotti then created European Tour history when Stenson conceded victory after failing to sink his last shot.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.