Paul Casey wins European Open to claim first Euro Tour victory in five years

Paul Casey came from a stroke back to win the European Open and claim his first Euro Tour title in five years on Sunday in Hamburg, Germany.

Casey closed with a six-under 66 after beginning the day one back of 54-hole leaders Bernd Ritthammer and Robert MacIntyre. He finished 14 under overall. MacIntyre, Ritthammer and Matthias Schwab tied for second at 13 under.

Casey made back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 and parred the 18th to take the clubhouse lead. MacIntyre made birdie when he needed an eagle on the par-5 finishing hole, and Ritthammer’s attempt to force a playoff fell short when he missed his birdie putt.

The victory was the 14th in Casey’s Euro Tour career and first since 2014.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” Casey said. “I get emotional every victory, but this year has been so fantastic. I’m slightly chuckling, slightly gutted that [caddie] Johnny Long Socks, John McLaren, isn’t here with me. But this is an incredibly prestigious trophy, it’s got a lot of history to it on the European Tour, so I’m over the moon.”