Dan Brown scored an emotional victory at the BMW International Open and flawlessly won his second Professional European Tour title with 66 to beat British Jordan Smith two shots.
The 30-year-old described the victory as a “out-of-body experience” as he fought over grief after a close friend died a week ago.
“I lost a friend at home last weekend,” Brown said after the victory. “I don’t know what to say, but it’s for him. I’ve been thinking about him trying to get rid of my thoughts and trying not to be too excited in the process.”
Brown entered the final round with one goal, and he was quickly pulled away by four birdies in the first six holes. He and Smith both ranked 18th Bird, but Brown’s early momentum proved that he was decisive in finishing the game under 22.
Brown said in reflection on the day: “I’m not quite sure what happened today. It’s all nerves and emotions. But I think he’s with me, and that makes it easier.”
Brown became the eighth British man to win the BMW International Open.
New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori is third in the Under-18, Dutchman Joost Luiten, American Dan Bryant and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan are fourth in the Under-16.
Final rankings – BMW International Open
-twenty two Dan Brown (Eng)
-20 Jordan Smith (Eng)
-18 Kazuma Kobori (New Zealand)
-16 Joost Luiten (NED), Dan Bryant (USA), Kristoffer Reitan (Nor)
Select Other:
-15 Laurie Kanter (Eng)
-14 Marco Penge (Eng)
-11 Scott Jamison (SCO) (SCO), Richie Ramsay (SCO)
-10 Richard Mansell, John Parry, Marcus Armitage
