Dhe times of self-doubt are over for Marcel Siem. On Sunday, the 42-year-old golf pro won the Hero Indian Open at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon near New Delhi – and that too in a duel against 28-year-old Yannik Paul from Mannheim.
This German golf holiday was completed by Alexander Knappe from Paderborn (281 strokes), who shared sixth place with Thorbjørn Olesen from Denmark (both 281 strokes). Eight years and 116 days after his last win on the European Tour in Shanghai in 2014, Siem prevailed with a total of 274 (69+70+67+68) shots and one shot ahead of Paul (275/65+69+71+70). . For his fifth victory in this tournament series, which has been called the DP World Tour since the 2022 season, the old master from Ratingen not only received almost 321,000 euros in prize money.
“A win would change my life,” said the Rhinelander before starting the final lap one stroke behind Paul. Siem quickly drew level with his compatriot, and Joost Luiten also briefly joined the leading trio. But in the end, as in the previous week, the Dutchman and Paul had to settle for third and second place.
German duel on the final lap: Yannik Paul (front) and Marcel Siem
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Image: AFP
The runner-up finish was bitter for Paul, who had been leading the pack after the first three days, even five shots ahead of Siem after day two. But on Sunday, on the 18th hole, he made his birdie putt just wide of the hole that would have put him in a playoff with Siem.
“A second kickstart for my career”
On the other hand, Siem had that little bit of luck that it often takes to win. His third shot just missed the pond in front of the 18th green. Siem was all the more happy, who had lost his eligibility to play in this tournament series several times and had only secured his job in the first European league again through the Qualifying School in November last year.
“I’ve worked really hard. It’s crazy, a second kickstart to my career. I was gone. It means a lot to me because two years ago I wasn’t even sure if I could still compete on the DP World Tour and now I’m a winner again. I think there is more to come.”
