Bernd Wiesberger claimed his first DP World Tour title in nearly five years with victory at the Volvo China Open in Shanghai.
The 40-year-old Austrian, who was ranked 370th in the world coming into the week, started his final round one shot off the pace, chased down overnight leader and playing partner Adrian Otaegui to record a three-stroke triumph at Enhance Anting Golf Club.
A final round of 67 saw him finish 19 under par and secure his ninth win on the DP World Tour, and his first victory since capturing the Made in HimmerLand title in Denmark in 2021.
The final group, surging clear of the field early in the afternoon, producing thrilling golf for the local fans, with 2024 champion Otaegui reaching the turn three shots clear.
A scoring burst of three birdies in four holes, including a pivotal chip-in at the tenth, saw Wiesberger reel Otaegui in before taking the outright lead at the 16th, the Spain-born Emirati dropping his second shot in five holes.
Otaegui’s 18th hole proved more damaging, closing with a double bogey to finish at 16 under par, while Wiesberger held his nerve to two-putt for par and seal his return to the winner’s enclosure after a 1792-day absence.
Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg fired a final-round 67 to clinch solo third at 14 under, with South African Shaun Norris one shot further back in fourth.
LIFE-CHANGING WIN
Wiesberger, who played in the 2021 Ryder Cup before joining LIV Golf in 2022 for two seasons before returning to the DP World Tour in 2024, said: “It has been a tough couple of years, but it’s been an unbelievable week. I played my heart out today. It wasn’t pretty at times, but I got it done. Adrian is a great competitor and had it under control. Something happened on my 10th hole that I can’t explain, and that’s how golf goes sometimes.
“I’m super proud of sticking through hard times on the golf course lately. This is for everyone at home and I couldn’t be happier.
After securing a two-year exemption on the DP World Tour, he added: “This win changes my future over the next couple years. It gets me into the Rolex Series events again – that’s huge for us out here – and it just makes it easier to play with a bit more freedom and hopefully get myself into the position to fight for win number ten.”
For all the scores and the final leaderboard from the Volvo China Open, click here.
