Dutch Open: Battle for lead goes to play-off

The head-to-head battle for the Dutch Open title between Bernhard Langer and Warren Bennett was extended into a play-off this afternoon.

Overnight leader Bennett, of Kent, maintained his nerve at the 18th to sink a six-foot putt to ensure a sudden-death shoot-out with the double Dutch title winner.

They eventually both finished on 15 under par for the tournament, Langer carding a 66 and Bennett a 67, four shots clear of the field.

An amazing run for the resilient German had closed the two-shot gap that had opened up between the pair with eight holes to play.

Both men notched eagles at the par-five, 502-yard 11th and turned the championship race into an exclusive duel once Miguel Angel Jimenez’s putting let him down with three consecutive birdie chances for the Spaniard to finish on 11 under.

Langer prevented a double bogey at the 14th with a brilliantly-judged long putt and continued his momentum with three consecutive birdies following some breathtaking play on the greens.

The last of those, from all of 30 feet, drew the 43-year-old Ryder Cup veteran level but his putt at the last just rolled the wrong side of the hole.

They were then forced to play the 18th again as sudden death began to decide who would pick up the 300,000 Ryder Cup qualifying points and the winner’s cheque for £180,000.