South Africa's Ernie Els won the BMW International Open by one shot yesterday for his 28th European Tour title.
After sharing a three-way lead overnight, Els shot a third straight three-under 69 in the final round to finish on 18-under 270 on the Eichenried Golf Club course.
Thomas Bjorn of Denmark (69) was second on 17 under and Frenchman Alexander Levy (71) finished another stroke off the pace in third for his best tour finish.
Els led after the first and second rounds. He is the first South African and the oldest player to win the competition.
"I'm a very young 43-year-old. There's not a younger 43-year-old, I promise," Els joked. "I've tried a long time to win this. I really had it going and then I made it tough for myself again," he added, referring to a bogey on the 11th.
Els had started level with Levy and Sweden's Alex Noren, but the Swede had two bogeys and fell out of contention, while Els, Levy and Bjorn each made three birdies from their nine holes out.
Bjorn was tied for the lead with Els when a double bogey on the 14th, after a bogey on the 11th, ended the Dane's chances. Levy's dreams disappeared with four bogeys in nine holes.
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