Broberg took two straight track records with eight strokes before the decision on Cromvoirt in the Dutch Open.

Parade the last 18 holes?

Forget it.

Broberg risked being sniffed at his first title in six years - but the ability to get out of nightmare-like situations made him manage to stay away.

After a final round of 72 strokes (par), he won by a total of 265 strokes, three ahead of German Matthias Schmid.

In sports in general and golf in particular, it is not possible to claim victories in advance.

Of course, the 35-year-old did not do that when he stepped up to the first tee in Cromvoirt.

What he did not get out on the last 18 holes was the feeling of the three previous days in the game.

An initial birdie promised more than it held.

The bogey on the third was followed by couples on the way out.

Hard afternoon

With the second title of his career on the European Tour within reach, Broberg had a difficult afternoon.

The eight strokes he had after Saturday's 61 round - course record at Bernardus Golf - became steadily fewer.

After half a round, they had been reduced to four.

Schmid and the Spaniard Alejandro Canizares picked up blow after blow while Broberg did not get anything for free.

The relief was noticeable when he put in for birdie and a total of 24 strokes under on the tenth hole, but Schmid noted another birdie and kept the distance down to four strokes.

The trend became clearer, Schmid found the flow, Broberg spread balls and had to fight for the pair.

The chip that decided

The events on the twelfth hole were of crucial importance.

After a rough miss, Broberg ended up among low pines and in deep sand.

He tried to get out, only to see the ball end up a few meters behind him and a situation at least as difficult.

His sixth shot, a tricky entry on the par 5 hole, went straight into the hole.

Instead of a supposed triple bogey, Broberg managed with a bogey.

Schmid countered with a birdie - and was suddenly only two strokes behind.

Broberg did not get the right side of the game, but he was helped by the fact that Schmid also got into difficulties and lost contact.

Instead, Canizares approached.

But the Spaniard also got into trouble.

Fell in tears

Broberg got in a birdie on the penultimate hole, led by three before Schmid when they both went out on hole 18. The Swede played calmly and stably on the green, two-putted for victory and had to lift the trophy.

Broberg has had major injury problems with his back and hip and has been forced to undergo surgery.


Afterwards he was very emotional.

- It has been six years of hell, he says crying during the victory interview.