Fasth seizes second chance in play-off

Swede Niclas Fasth won the Spanish Open at San Roque today – after doing his best to lose it.

Fasth led by two with two to play but bogeyed them both to fall into a play-off with England’s John Bickerton, who fired a course record-equalling 63 after starting the day eight behind.

They then parred the 18th three times but on switching to the ninth for the fourth play-off hole Fasth hit his approach to within five feet of the flag for a winning birdie.

Victory was worth €275,000 and lifted Fasth, a member of the 2002 Ryder Cup team, from 17th to 12th in the race for places in this September’s side. Bickerton earned €183,000.

Thomas Bjorn was left kicking himself. He would have been in the play-off as well but for missing from under five feet at the last.

Bjorn had been three clear after grabbing birdies at five of his first six holes, but four-putted the eighth from 40 feet for a double-bogey five.