Soderberg wins five-man playoff at Omega European Masters

Sebastian Soderberg birdied the first playoff hole to win his maiden European Tour title at the Omega European Masters 

Sebastian Soderberg was the only man to make a birdie on the first hole of sudden death at Crans-sur-Sierre, coming out on top the five man playoff that included Rory McIlroy.

Soderberg was further away than both McIlroy and Kalle Samooja, but after he rolled in his 10 foot putt the other two missed, confirming the Swede as champion for the first time at his 50th European Tour event. 

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve dreamt of playing on the European Tour, even better doing it this way. I was in the lead, lost it, went into the play-off with Rory McIlroy among it.

“I was more nervous in the beginning than I was towards the back nine. Got on a good run and the ball kept going in. Just playing with Rory, so many people around, playing with a guy like that adds heat to it right away. 

“I proved to myself that I can play out here. I didn’t really know that I was ready to win, I had a terrible start to the season and I felt like I was just trying to make my way into the top 110 and keep my card for next year. It’s just a surreal way to do it.”

Soderberg opened the final round four shots off the lead and initially went backwards with a bogey at the first hole, before making that shot back at the seventh to make the turn in level par. 

The 28-year-old then made his move with a chip in at the 10th, which was the start of a run of five consecutive birdies to reach 15-under-par and surge out in the lead on his own. 

A costly three putt at the 17th then dropped him back to 14-under-par, ensuring extra holes at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf club for the sixth time in seven years.

During the playoff, Lorenzo Gagli found the water and Andres Romero flew the green, before McIlroy, Samooja and Soderberg all hit it in close before the Swede earned his maiden title.