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2016 RECAP: Frittelli right on time to seal Rolex victory


By import service

Dylan Frittelli sealed a dramatic second career European Challenge Tour victory with a six under par final round of 66 that took him to 20 under par and two clear of his nearest rivals at the Rolex Trophy.


Dylan Frittelli (photo by Rolex/Chris Turvey)


Overnight leader Pep Angles was in front for much of the day before Frittelli drove the green on the par four 16<sup>th</sup>hole at Golf Club de Genève and rolled in the eagle putt to tie the lead.


Angles bogeyed 17 to fall a shot behind and could not birdie the last, giving Frittelli his first win since the 2013 Kӓrnten Golf Open – a result that takes the South African up to third in the Road to Oman Rankings.


“I feel pretty good right now but I think it will really settle in later,” said the 26 year old. “I’m extremely proud of what I did today and how I handled myself – there were a lot of ups, a lot of downs, all in one round, which is not something I’m used to.


“I said to my caddie last night that I didn’t want to look at the leaderboards until 16 or 17, I didn’t want to hear about it, and he did really well with that and kept me focused and calm.


“I had a look when I was on the 16<sup>th</sup>tee and saw Angles was already 20 under par so I figured birdie, birdie, birdie for me to get to 21 under wasn’t going to be good enough to win it.


“I decided to go for the green which was a great decision, I hit a drive to about six feet which was probably the shot of the week for me and then I made the putt to capitalise – then I just had to wait for something to happen and, fortunately for me, it did.


“I didn’t have a target in mind, I just wanted to play as well as I could, and 16 was a crucial moment. My form has been there now for two or three months and it’s finally great to get over the line after a bunch of seconds, thirds and top tens.


“It was wonderful playing with the amateurs this week. A lot of pros find it more difficult but for me it’s great – you get to play with different people, a bunch of locals giving insight into the club and the city, and that camaraderie helps everyone I think.


“This win will get me right up there in the Road to Oman Rankings and then if I can do well in the final swing of the season I should hopefully be able to cement my place in the top 15.”


Angles’ bogey on 18 dropped him level with Ryan Fox in a tie for second place, with Road to Oman Rankings leader Romain Langasque one shot further back and Sam Walker – winner of last week’s Vierumӓki Finnish Challenge – completing the top five on 16 under par.