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Catlin wins Austrian Open in tense playoff

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American John Catlin finally prevailed in the Austrian Open after a tough five-hole playoff.
Camera IconAmerican John Catlin finally prevailed in the Austrian Open after a tough five-hole playoff. Credit: EPA

American John Catlin has defeated Maximilian Kieffer on the fifth hole of a dramatic play-off to claim a third win in eight months at the Austrian Open.

The American carded a bogey-free 65 in the final round on Sunday to set the target at 14-under and it looked like it might be good enough when Kieffer found sand off the tee on the par-three 18th hole when needing a par.

Kieffer showed great nerve in making his up-and-down and when the duo could not be separated after four more trips up the last, the German's mind must have been cast back almost eight years to the day when he lost out in a nine-hole play-off at the Open de Espana.

But he put himself in serious trouble when he found water off the tee at the fifth attempt, and he did it twice more from the drop zone, recording a quintuple-bogey eight and allowing Catlin to take the trophy with a four.

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Catlin won twice on the European Tour in three weeks in September last year and after moving back into the top 100 in the world, he is now aiming for that all-important top 50 and entry into the major championships.

"Top 50 in the world opens up all doors - to play Majors, WGCs, the Players, a certain number of sponsor's exemptions - that's basically my goal," he said.

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Former world No.1 Martin Kaymer entered the final day in a share of the lead but dropped three shots in his first three holes before recovering to post a 70 and finish at 11-under.

Australian Austin Bautista ended a fine tournament with a 69 that saw him finish joint-seventh at seven-under, seven shots behind the winner.

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