SHANGHAI – Bernd Wiesberger of Austria played bogey-free on Sunday and closed with a 4-under 67 to defeat Spain’s Adrian Otaegui and win the China Open, his first victory since returning two years ago from Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Wiesberger, the winner of the 2021 Ryder Cup, avoided the mistakes that cost Otaegui. The Spaniard had three shots on the back nine and dropped shots on both par-3s at Shanghai Enhance Anting Golf Club.
Otaegui came to the par-5 18th needing a birdie to force a playoff and hit his tee shot into the right tree. He closed with a double-bogey 71 to finish three shots behind.
Wiesberger finished at 19-under 265 for his ninth European title and first since winning in Denmark in 2021 which helped him make the Ryder Cup team at Whistling Straits. He lost all three of his matches in a rare American victory.
He was among the first players to join Saudi-sponsored LIV Golf in 2022 and played two seasons before his contract expired and returned to the European tour.
