Brilliant Broberg wins 2021 Dutch Open

Kristoffer Broberg claimed his second European Tour title just under six years on from his first after holding off the chasing pack in a roller coaster final round to win the 2021 Dutch Open by three shots.

A brave and battling level par 72, which contained three birdies, three bogeys and some very important par saves, was enough to see Broberg return to the winner's circle for the first time since November 2015 when he won the BMW Masters.

The Swede came into the fourth round with a commanding eight shot lead but his advantage had been cut in half by the time he reached the turn, as one birdie and a single bogey on the front nine saw him remain at 23 under par, while Matthias Schmid and Alejandro Cañizares both turned in 31.

Broberg got his second birdie of the day at the tenth to extend his lead to five strokes with eight holes to play, but things started to unravel shortly thereafter as he did well to escape with just one dropped shot - and a two shot swing - at the 12th before finding the water at the 14th and carding another bogey there.

But he kept his emotions in check and produced a hugely impressive up-and-down from the sand for par at the 15th to steady the ship before another par on the 16th gave him a two shot advantage with two holes to play.

And he nervelessly holed his birdie putt from 13 feet at the 17th to stretch his lead to three before a par on the last saw him finish the tournament on 23 under par and secure the trophy.

Germany's Schmid finished alone in second on 20 under after his closing 66, with Cañizares another two shots further back in third.

Runaway leader Broberg began the day eight clear and opened his fourth round with a birdie from 13 feet to move to 24 under par.

The Swede gave the shot back with a bogey at the third but he safely parred the next six holes to turn in a level par 36.

The leader holed his birdie putt from 15 feet at the tenth to return to 24 under, and then made a valuable par save from ten feet to avoid a two shot swing at the next after sending his tee shot onto a steep bank.

Broberg looked in danger of blowing his lead altogether at the 12th when he sent his second shot right and it landed among the trees. Instead of playing safe, the 35-year-old took a gamble and was punished as he hit a big tuft of grass and watched his ball go backwards into a bush.

He had to take a penalty drop from there and was now staring a big score in the face.

But after chipping to the rough next to a greenside bunker, Broberg holed his pitch to somehow only drop one shot. And with Schmid narrowly missing his eagle putt at the same hole, the German only closed to within two shots when it could have been a lot worse for Broberg.

There was some relief for the under pressure leader at the short 13th as he made par and watched playing partner Schmid surrender a double bogey to fall four behind once again.

But there was more drama to come as Broberg found water off the tee at the 14th and made another bogey to slip to 22 under.

And when Cañizares birdied the 16th two holes up ahead, the lead was just two once again.

Broberg got into more trouble when he found a greenside bunker with his second shot into the 15th but he got up an down for a crucial par, showing his mettle with a ten foot putt.

The 16th yielded another par before Broberg made a birdie from 13 feet at the 17th and parred the last to claim an emotional victory.

Things did not go according to plan for Broberg following his maiden win in 2015, with hip and knee injuries contributing to him playing just 11 events between 2018 and 2020.

And he could not hold back the tears on the 18th after becoming a winner on the European Tour once again.

He said: "It feels good. I broke down on the 18th but it’s been six years of hell. Three different surgeries on my left side but now I’m starting to get back where I’m supposed to be.

"The first few days I played really good. Today I was struggling like I was in the off season. I thought my eight shot lead would be enough today, but Matthias played some really beautiful golf.

"It’s been a nightmare (over the last six years). I was so close to quitting, it’s been so… I don’t know the word for it, but it’s been a tough time. This is way bigger (than his last win in 2015), more emotions.

"It’s going to be a game changer. I’ll get into bigger events and can plan my schedule a little bit. Before this I was at home for a month. I didn’t know where the game was, but it was good enough."