Austrian Brier Strolls to Victory in Shanghai

Austrian sport came down from the white ski slopes of Europe to triumph on the green manicured fairways of Shanghai as Markus Brier coasted to victory at the Volvo China Open on Sunday.

Brier fired a final round of four-under-par 67 for a 10-under total of 274 and a five-stroke victory at the Shanghai Silport Golf Club. In his triumph, he became the first Austrian to win a co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event.

Australian Scott Hend was even par 71 on the final day to share second place with Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, who shot 69, and South African Andrew McLardy, who closed with 70, on 279.

Brier’s previous European Tour victory was at the BA-CA Golf Open last year at his home Fontana Golf Club course in Vienna.

The 38-year-old, who won US$333,330, said on the Asian Tour website:

“I dreamt about winning yesterday and thought it would be good. Volvo China Open is a great tournament to win. I have been to China quite a few times and I have always played well. It makes me feel like a better player now as at home I always had the home advantage. It is a very good win here and it was the next step to win abroad.”

Overnight showers softened the greens at Shanghai, helping Brier to birdies on the second and third holes before he dropped a shot on the fourth. He solidified his lead with birdies on the eighth and ninth and finished off with a flourish, holing a five-foot birdie on the 18th.


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