Forsyth takes Madeira Open title

Forsyth held his nerve in the play-off

FINAL LEADERBOARD
(GB & Ire unless stated):
-15 A Forsyth, H Otto (RSA)
-11 G Clark
-10 S Struver (Ger)
-9 J Bickerton, A Velasco (Spa), F Widmark (Swe)
* Forsyth wins on first extra hole

Scotland's Alastair Forsyth defeated Hennie Otto in a sudden-death play-off to win the Madeira Islands Open.

Forsyth trailed Otto by four shots going into the final day, but a round of 67 saw the 32-year-old put pressure on the South African.

And that pressure paid off when Forsyth birdied the first extra hole to clinch the victory.

The pair finished four shots clear of the field, with England's Gary Clark in third place on 11 under.

It was Forsyth's first win on the European Tour since his triumph in the Malaysian Open in 2002.

I knew I was going to need a birdie to win Alastair Forsyth

Otto, the long-time leader at Santo da Serra, began his final round promisingly with two early birdies but bogeys at the 4th, 5th and 8th allowed Forsyth to close.

Forsyth produced an unwelcome bogey at the 17th and Otto drew level, but both players birdied the last to take the tournament into a play-off.

It was Forsyth's second play-off victory against Otto. In 1996, when they were both amateurs, he beat the South African in the Scottish strokeplay championship.

"I felt I was a wee bit one-up on him already when we set out," said Forsyth. "But I bet he was thinking he would get one back on me.

"I knew I was going to need a birdie to win, though."

Otto said: "I putted really well until today. When it was the play-off, I thought 'here we go again'. But he beat me again.

"I just have to look at next week as another chance, I'm playing well enough."

The win represented a remarkable return to form for Forsyth, with the Glaswegian failing to make a single halfway cut in his first five tournaments this season.

"It's the worst start I've ever made," added Forsyth, "but I'd played well at the end of last season and just got a bit rusty over the winter."