Otto wins the Italian Open
by Richard Field, 11 May 2008
South African Hennie Otto [69] let a five shot lead slip but still managed to hold on and record a first European Tour title win at the Italian Open.
Otto, beaten in a play-off by Alastair Forsyth at the Madeira Open in March after squandering a lead, was almost caught this time by Oliver Wilson.
But unlike his debacle in Madeira, Otto held his nerve to birdie the 13th and, then with one foot in the bunker, hit his second shot to within six feet to escape with a par at the final hole to beat the Englishman by a stroke.
His winning 25-under aggregate of 263 was one outside the tournament record set by Percy Alliss in 1935.
Wilson’s superb 64 secured a third runners-up spot this season for the 27-year-old.
Swede Robert Karlsson, who broke the Castello di Tolcinasco course record with his 61 on Friday, finished third and joint fourth were Phillip Archer and German Marcel Siem.