Paul Peterson wins Czech Masters for 1st European Tour win

World number 398 Peterson, whose previous best finish on the European Tour was a tie for fifth in Malaysia past year.

Pieters, who finished fourth on Sunday at the Olympic course in Rio de Janeiro, won the Czech Masters previous year for his first European Tour victory.

“This is the best feeling in the world”, Peterson told Sky Sports.

“We had this as a goal this year and to be able to accomplish it means so much”, added the 24-year-old.

“It was fantastic, the crowds have been great all week. It’s just so great to have all the team here”.

Peterson mixed seven birdies with two blemishes on his way to a five-under 67 at Albatross Golf Resort, picking up a shot at the last to finish one-stroke clear of the Belgian. A 3-under final round saw him finish five strokes behind Peterson.

American Paul Peterson fired a 64 to move into second place on 206, one ahead of Briton Robert Rock (65) and Dane Jeff Winther (73).

Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, made nearly certain of taking the final automatic spot in Europe’s Ryder Cup team by finishing fifth on 10 under. But it came too late after Peterson sealed the victory with a 17-foot birdie putt on the final hole.

Another Ryder Cup hopeful, Matthew Fitzpatrick of England, virtually secured a spot on captain Darren Clarke’s team for the matchup against the United States at Hazeltine with a fifth-place finish.

Two-time Ryder Cup victor David Howell finished four shots behind the champion in a share of third place with fellow Englishman Ryan Evans.