Fabrizio Zanotti makes breakthrough

Fabrizio Zanotti has finally won his first tour title after finishing runner-up three times on the European Tour, and carding three top-five finishes this season.

However, he was made to work for his BMW International Open victory. At the end of 72 holes Fabrizio Zanotti was tied on 19-under-par with Gregory Harvet, Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Henrik Stenson. It took five holes to find a winner.

Havret was the first casualty of the four-man play-off. Cabrera-Bello then crashed out when his approach bounced into the water. Stenson then followed when he tried to reach the 17th off the tee and found the water. Leaving Zanotti in pole position.

The Paraguayan avoided the water with his tee shot which left Stenson needing to produce something special. He couldn’t, and the Swede conceded the hole –and the win – to Zanotti.

“I knew today that if I made a good run I’d have a good chance.” – Fabrizio Zanotti

The South American becomes the first Paraguyan to win on the European Tour, and his final round 65 was the best of the day.

Zanotti, who had to play in qualifying to get his card this year, knew if he remained patient he would be in with a chance.

“I was patient. I tried to play shot by shot in the play-off. I’m just very happy,” he said. I knew today that if I made a good run I’d have a good chance. Today was my day. I’ve been working a lot and trying to build my confidence to get to this moment and finally I’m here.”

Key to Fabrizio Zanotti’s win was his work on the greens. The Paraguyan had the second lowest putts per-round of the week and the fourth best putts per-greens in regulation.

Fabrizio Zanotti :: with this win

Gains his largest European Tour prize of €333, 330.

He moves to 24th in The Race to Dubai.

Zanotti is now 112nd in the Official World Golf Rankings, after being 305th before the tournament began.