Bjorn reels in Kaymer to accentuate revival with Swiss triumph

The 40-year-old Dane fired a nine-under-par 62 to turn a three-stroke deficit into a four-shot win over Martin Kaymer at the Omega European Masters, the first qualifying event for next year’s Ryder Cup.

Bjorn had also been three behind with a round to go in last week’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

There he was involved in a marathon five-man, five-hole play-off. This time he left the rest behind – Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood included – with a marvellous closing burst.

Kaymer missed a two-foot putt on the long 14th that would have taken him two in front and how Bjorn made him pay.

He was almost in water with his approach on the same hole but birdied it to draw level, made another 10-footer for eagle on the next and then put the icing on the cake with two closing birdies.

After going five under for the last five holes, he said: “The way I finished was special and it’s been an amazing two weeks.

“I started hitting my wedges so well last week and kept it going.

“At the end you think nothing can go wrong. Golf seems easy sometimes and you have to remember that when you are not playing well.”

He has had a real rollercoaster career, talking of “fighting demons” after he lost the 2003 Open from three ahead with four to play and going through another low this summer following the death of his father.

Joint third were US Open champion McIlroy, South African Jaco Van Zyl and overnight leader Jamie Donaldson.

McIlroy was joint top after two opening birdies, but had to wait until the 14th for his next one and a 68 was never likely to be enough. Westwood also shot 70 and, having started the second in sole possession of second, it meant a sixth place finish for the world No 2.

Yorkshire’s Simon Dyson finished 16th after rounds of 66 68 74 and 66, two shots ahead of Sheffield’s Danny Willett (71 64 68 73).