Sun May 11 12:57:13 2008

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Otto holds off Wilson to win Italian Open

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Milan, Italy (Sports Network) - Hennie Otto fended off a stiff charge from Oliver Wilson on Sunday to win the Italian Open, shooting a three-under 69 in the final round to claim his first European Tour victory.

Otto, who shot a 63 in the third round and held a four-shot lead overnight, picked up the final go-ahead birdie at the 13th hole Sunday after falling into a share of the lead with a bogey at the 12th. He finished at 25-under 263, one shot off the tournament scoring record.

"It means a lot. All the weight's off my shoulders," said Otto.

Wilson mounted a stunning final-round charge to put the pressure on his South African target, making five birdies in a six-hole stretch to join Otto in the lead.

But the Englishman closed with four consecutive pars to shoot an eight-under 64 and finish one shot back at 24-under 264. It was Wilson's third runner-up finish this season and the sixth of his career.

"I started the day six back and wasn't really looking to win, just trying to shoot a good score and get second place," said Wilson. "And that's what I did."

Robert Karlsson had a 67 to take third place at 23-under 265, with Marcel Siem (66) and Phillip Archer (68) two shots further back at 21-under 267.

Ross McGowan (69) was the only other player who finished within five shots of Otto, coming in at 20-under 268.

Otto made three early birdies to take a five-shot lead, but Wilson quickly closed in by collecting four consecutive birdies beginning at the 11th hole.

The highlights included a 15-foot putt at the 11th, a fairway bunker shot to 20 feet at the 13th and a spectacular tee shot to just four feet at the par- three 14th.

That last birdie, coupled with an Otto bogey from a greenside bunker at the 12th, gave Wilson a share of the lead. And it didn't go unnoticed by Otto.

"I did have a look on the scoreboard," he said. "But my caddie said there was still five holes left, and there were maybe two birdies on the five holes. Then I made a birdie straight off on the next hole."

Otto moved ahead with his birdie at the 13th, and he wouldn't give up any more ground the rest of the way.

His last challenge came at the 18th, where he muscled a shot out of the deep rough, negotiating water left of the green, and landed it within 10 feet of the hole to set up a two-putt par that clinched the win.

"I caught it pretty good," Otto said.

And he appeared visibly relieved walking up the last fairway, the win a near certainty. After beginning the season without status on the European Tour, he is now exempt through 2009.

"I thought I needed more, to be honest," Otto said. "But they were there to catch me."