The German Nicolai von Dellingshausen (-19) has comfortably won the Austrian Alpine Open after carding a 65, thus overtaking the leader at the start of the day, his compatriot Marcel Schneider (-17) and partner in the leading group.
Nicolai (it’s much easier to refer to him by his first name) has maintained a Germanic order throughout the four rounds, almost matching the score (three rounds of 65 strokes and one of 66), averaging one bogey per round and generally conveying a sense of bombproof consistency.
For a moment, it seemed that the Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan (-17) might once again have his way, starting well ahead of the leading group on Sunday, just like last week, and carding an extraordinary 60. Seven days ago, in Belgium, he teed off almost three hours before the last group on Sunday and got into a playoff after delivering a card of 62 strokes, nine under par for the day. Today was not too different: he teed off an hour and a quarter before the leading group and carded a score of ten under par for the day, although this time Von Dellingshausen kept his composure to reach the final holes with a sufficient lead. On the 16th, for example, he saved a great par, which proved decisive.
Nicolai makes his debut as a winner on the DP World Tour and becomes the eleventh first-time winner of the season on this circuit. They come from all nationalities, profiles, ages, and charisma: Elvis Smylie, Ryggs Johnston, Alejandro Del Rey, Jacques Kruyswijk, Dylan Naidoo, Richard Mansell, Eugenio Chacarra, Marco Penge, Martin Couvra, Kristoffer Reitan, and Nicolai Von Dellingshausen. Some of them may never win again; for others, however, it is just the beginning of a successful career. Who knows if there is even a future Major winner in this group.
Rafa Cabrera Bello (-7) finished another round of golf with a bitter taste due to two late bogeys that significantly marred the result and distanced him from a final top ten that was within his grasp. Nevertheless, the Canary Islander won the battle against this Gut Altentann Golf Club on the fourth day, and his final result, 22nd, shows positive progress. In the same position finished Albert Boneta (-7), who once again proves to himself that his unexpected emergence in top-level competitive golf is not due to chance but to his abilities.
