Haydn Porteous wins D+D Czech Masters
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Haydn Porteous outlasted Lee Slattery in a thrilling final-day battle to win the D+D REAL Czech Masters by two shots.
They swapped the lead all-day long, but Porteous birdied two of the last five holes to win his second European Tour title with a final-round 69.
Slattery had held a two-shot lead heading in to the final day, but back-to-back birdies on his opening two holes meant that Porteous wipe that lead out in less than half an hour.
Although he gave a shot back on the fourth, by the ninth hole a birdie put Porteous at 13-under-par and in command of the lead by one.
Birdies came from Porteous on the 14th and 16th holes, with an opportune near hole out coming on the par-three 16th – leaving him with just a tap in for birdie. Slattery also made his birdie, but with a bogey on the last from the two-time European Tour Champion, it was the turn of the South African to gain his second European Tour title.
Haydn Porteous’ top five shots from his Czech Masters win.
For Porteous, it felt like a long-time coming. He had last won at the Joburg Open in January of 2016, but despite 10 missed cuts this year, he seemed to be trending in the right direction at last.
A T17 at the Paul Lawrie Matchplay was followed by a T6 last week at the Made in Denmark event with an impressive final round of 67.
“It’s been a really torrid time through the last eight, nine months and I’ve really started doing the right things and slowly but surely the golf has got a little bit better,” said Porteous after his victory.
“To get my second European Tour win under the belt just feels amazing.
“When you start playing on the European Tour you start to lose yourself, you lose how you got out here in the first place and to then find yourself again and do the things you do to normally get on the Tour is key.
“It’s just one tournament at a time, one shot at a time and just make sure I do the right things and be professional in the way I do everything. I’m sure this evening’s probably not going to be the most professional moment of my life but there’s nothing wrong with having a bit of celebration.”
Haydn Porteous: What’s in the bag
Driver: Callaway Great Big Bertha Epic (8.5°)
Hybrid: Callaway Apex (18°)
Irons: Callaway Epic Pro (3), Callaway Apex MB (4-9)
Wedges: Callaway MD3 Milled (46°, 52°, 56°, 60°)
Putter: Odyssey O-Works #1 Wide
