Hero Indian Open 2023 winner Marcel Siem (Germany) with Dr Pawan Munjal, Chairman & CEO, Hero MotoCorp
In the end only one shot separated 42-year-old Marcel Siem of Germany from his younger compatriot Yannik Paul as he shot 69-70-67-68 (14-under 274) to win the US$ 2mn Hero Indian Open at DLF Golf & CC in Gurgaon after a ding dong battle in the final round that could have gone either way.
Siem, who had to go back to the European Tour Qualifying Tournament to earn his 2023 card, went into the final round one shot behind Yannik Paul, who led after each of the first three rounds and was at 11-under.
In the final round, the two players playing together had little to separate them. Siem grabbed a share of the lead with a 20-foot birdie putt on the fourth. Then back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th gave him a two-shot cushion.
Yannik Paul of Germany held a 54 hole lead and missed out on a birdie putt on the final hole to force a playoff against Marcel Siem
A bogey on the 13th coupled with a bridie by Paul on the same hole had both tied at 13-under par. Siem then saved par on the 14th and birdied the 15th to regain the lead. After Paul missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th, Siem calmly rolled in his 4-footer for the win after surviving a nervous moment when his 2nd shot almost went into the lake.
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It was Siem’s first win in nine years. His last win on the tour came at the BMW Masters in Nov. 2014.
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Siem’s story is one of perseverance over two decades. He turned pro in 2000 and picked up his first win in 2004. He would not win for another eight years, during which time he lost his card multiple times. He finally returned to the winners circle in July 2012, a wait of over 3087 days. He would win again in 2013 and 2014 before his latest drought. His story is an inspiration for others and a reminder that perseverance and determination often pays off.
Credits:-
Photo – DPWTR