A Bjorn winner

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn today regained the BMW International Open in Munich, again denying Bernhard Langer victory in the only tour event on German soil he has never won.

Bjorn carded a final-round 66 for a 24 under par total of 264 at Nord-Eichenried and a four-shot victory over Ryder Cup team--mate Langer and midlander John Bickerton.

Luton's Ian Poulter, himself on standby for the Ryder Cup, shared fourth place with Welshman David Park, Southampton's Richard Bland a shot further back after a bogey on the last.

Bjorn, 31, who picked up the winner's cheque for £191,000, began the day with a two-shot lead and was always in control after three birdies in four holes from the third.

Another birdie on the ninth took him out in 32 and extended his lead to three shots, and after his only bogey of the day on the 10th he responded superbly with another brace of birdies.

Langer, who has won every European Tour event in his home country at least twice apart from this one, had also picked up four birdies on the front nine and chipped in to save par on the fifth after duffing his third shot.

But he was not so fortunate after another fluffed chip on the eighth, and after matching Bjorn's bogey on the 10th the veteran German was never able to get within striking distance of his playing partner.

It was then left to Bjorn, who beat Langer by three shots here two year ago, to finish in style with a birdie from 10 feet on the 18th to seal his seventh tour title.

Leading positions after final round of the BMW International Open, Nord-Eichenried Golf Club, Munich (Gbr & Irl unless stated)

(x) denotes amateurs

24 under Thomas Bjorn (Den) (after 72 holes)

20 under John Bickerton (72) Bernhard Langer (Ger) (72)

17 under Ian Poulter (72) David Park (72)

16 under Richard Bland (72)

15 under Paul Casey (72) David Lynn (72) Philip Golding (72)

Selected others:

14 under John Daly (USA) (72)

12 under Padraig Harrington (72)

10 under Justin Rose (72)