Seemingly easy win for Siem in France

Marcel Siem ended an eight-year drought with victory at the French Open at Paris National Golf Club.

Siem carded a four-under par 67 on Sunday to finish eight under, one clear of Italian Francesco Molinari, who shot a stunning 64 in his final round.

The Italian’s final round began with a double bogey but he played flawlessly from then on, firing nine birdies including one at the difficult closing par four.

England’s Ian Poulter was right in contention coming down the stretch but he bogeyed the final two holes to finish in a tie for fourth with fellow Englishmen David Lynn and David Howell on five under.

Compatriots Justin Rose and Lee Westwood finished further off the pace, in joint ninth and 40th respectively.

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson had a chance to catch Siem on the last with a birdie but found the water hazard twice and recorded a triple-bogey seven to slip back to a tie for seventh.

The victory is extra special for 31-year-old Siem as it earned him a place at The 141st Open Championship, which begins on July 19 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

“I’m so happy. This means a lot to me,” said Siem upon receiving the trophy and a cheque for €525,000.

“First, after eight years it doesn’t matter what kind of tournament you won; it’s huge, because you’ve got the confidence again. Every time I’ve played consistent golf this year, and there were so many times up there, I couldn’t make it. Stupid things happened the whole time.

“It means so much to me to win after that long stretch. It’s all about winning in the end and it puts so much pressure every time you don’t win and people start talking, you will never win again and stuff like that, so it’s very important for me.”

World number three Westwood climbed 18 places with a closing 70 after he had considered pulling out of the tournament on Saturday with knee and groin problems picked up after he slipped on the walk to the first tee.

“The leg is fine – it wasn’t a problem today,” he said after his final round.