Renato Paratore wins first European Tour title at Nordea Masters

Renato Paratore carded a final-round 70 on his way to his first European Tour victory at the Nordea Masters, finishing one shot ahead of defending Champion Matthew Fitzpatrick and Chris Wood. 

The 20-year-old started the day in the penultimate group one-shot back of Wood, and was left to wait in the club house as the Englishman stood on the 18th tee with a share of the lead. 

But Wood pulled his tee-shot in to the trees and had to settle for a bogey that pushed him out of contention and insured the Italian his first professional trophy.

With this win, Paratore becomes the youngest winner on the European Tour since his good friend Matteo Manassero’s win at the 2013 BMW PGA Championship.

“It sounds really good for me, I couldn’t be happier right now,” Paratore said. “I said if I’m going to play well I can win, especially in these conditions. 

Paratore bogeyed the third hole to drop to seven-under-par for the tournament, but regained composure with back-to-back birdies on the eighth and ninth holes to find himself in contention once more. 

Another gain on the 12th was quickly followed by a birdie on the 14th to gain the outright lead, and four pars on the final few holes was enough for him to win on the European Tour at his 83rd attempt. 

While Paratore came away with victory, it was George Coetzee who had made the biggest move on the final day with a 66 to end up nine-under par. He set the early clubhouse lead but had to settle for T4 with Thorbjorn Olesen by the end of the day. 

The defending champion ended the tournament with a 68, and despite two birdies in his last three holes a five-under-par final round left Matthew Fitzpatrick one-shot scarce of a play-off with Paratore.

Meanwhile, home favourite Henrik Stenson had a stronger final-day performance but couldn’t finish higher than a share of 26th place, while last week’s winner and compatriot Alex Noren was two shots better in a tie for 15th at 5-under-par.