Lucquin tops in play-off

2008-09-07 19:40

Crans-Sur-Sierre, Switzerland - Jean-Francois Lucquin beat Rory McIlroy with a birdie-3 on the second play-off hole on Sunday to win the European Masters.

The 19-year-old McIlroy held a four-stroke lead going into the final round, but bogeyed two of the first three holes and then missed a five-foot putt for victory on the 18th to settle for a 71.

McIlroy missed a one-foot putt and made bogey on the second play-off hole before Lucquin holed a 12-footer for his first European Tour win in his 175th attempt.

Both players parred the 18th on the first play-off hole after missing birdie putts, Lucquin from 25 feet and McIlroy from 12 feet.

The two had both finished on 13-under totals of 271, after Lucquin shot a closing 67 with four birdies on the first 11 holes.

Miguel Jimenez (67), Gary Orr (67), Julien Clement (68) and Christian Cevaer (68) shared third on 12 under.

"I was very nervous on the first tee but I was confident in my swing," the 29-year-old Lucquin said. "When I holed that putt, my wife and little boy ran on the green and when I saw them, it was a dream."

- AP