Pablo Larrazabal holds off Henrik Stenson to win second BMW International Open title

Pablo Larrazabal celebrates on the 18th green after clinching the BMW Invitational title. Paul Thomas / Getty Images / June 28, 2015

Pablo Larrazabal attributed his second BMW International Open title to a flying start as he carded a final-day 66 to see off the challenge of Henrik Stenson in Munich.

The Spaniard reached the turn in a five-under-par 31 and added a crucial sixth birdie on the 16th to finish 17 under, one shot ahead of the Swede.

Stenson fired himself into the mix with an eagle at 11 as well as five birdies in a round of 65, but had to settle for second place as Larrazabal’s nerve held over the closing holes.

The 32-year-old Barcelona native said: “I knew that I was in a good position, two groups ahead, and I knew that I had to start very fast. I had to start with a few birdies in the first holes and I started very well.

“I think I was five under for the front nine and hitting the ball great, as well as I have hit it all year, and my putting was awesome. I made a lot of great putts.

“Coming in, it’s tough coming in. You have a lot of holes with a lot of trouble, so I knew I needed to put myself in a good position to make birdies. I made birdie on 16, a great shot.

“I had memories from the past — I lost the tournament over there back in 2010, going 19 under par with three to play, and I lost it over there, so I had that in my mind, ‘Put it on the green and try to make the putt’. If not, four is a great score in 16.”

Stenson’s birdie on the 18 briefly left him in a tie for the lead, but a three for Larrazabal on the 16th proved decisive.

Asked if he was aware on the course how close the Swede had been to him, he replied: “I knew, I knew exactly.

“Henrik is not German, but he has a lot of German friends and we could hear the roar.”

Stenson’s late flourish took him one shot clear of England’s Chris Paisley.

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