Omega European Masters: The Debrief

Sebastian Soderberg claimed his first European Tour title at the 50th time of asking after coming through a five man play-off to win the Omega European Masters.

Here is everything you need to know from a superb week in Switzerland.

Soderberg conquers Crans Montana

As any European Tour professional will tell you, getting that first win on the board is never easy. But Soderberg had to work particularly hard to break his duck, with World Number Two Rory McIlroy, two time winner Andres Romero and in form duo Lorenzo Gagli and Kalle Samooja all standing in his way in a five man play-off on Sunday afternoon. Having carded six birdies and two bogeys in his 66 to join the leaders on 14 under par, the 28-year-old holed a ten footer for birdie on the first trip back up the last and, with McIlroy and Samooja missing from closer range, the trophy was his. "I proved to myself that I can play out here," he said. "I didn't really know that I was ready to win, I had a terrible start to the season and I felt like I was just trying to make my way into the top 110 and keep my card for next year. It's just a surreal way to do it."

Rory roared on by huge crowds

The locals came out in numbers to watch a high quality field do battle in one of the most stunning settings in world golf. And they were richly rewarded as four time Major Champion McIlroy put on a show throughout the week, posting four rounds in the sixties before being edged out in the play-off. The volume went up a notch or two on Friday as the Northern Irishman carded an eagle, eight birdies and three bogeys in a 63 to haul himself into contention. And they continued to cheer him - and the other contenders - on as the week progressed.

Paratore's perfect shot

It was a week to remember for Renato Paratore, who took the number of holes-in-one on the European Tour this season to 25 on his way to finishing in a tie for 12th. The Italian's ace came at the tricky 13th on Saturday afternoon. With a pin on the front edge and the water in play, it takes a brave player to aim straight at it but there are no nerves in Paratore. The Italian launched a pitching wedge from 183 yards and saw the ball take three bounces before nestling into the bottom of the cup. "It was a really good shot, a really good line into the hole," he said. "When I saw the first bounce I thought maybe it could go in and I saw the ball go down, so it was amazing."

Graduates up to the Challenge

The European Challenge Tour's Class of 2018 was well represented in Sunday's five man play-off as Soderberg played the extra hole alongside fellow graduates Gagli and Samooja, pipping the pair to a maiden European Tour title. All three men showed their mettle on day four, bouncing back from disappointment at the first hole - where Italian Gagli made a double bogey and Finn Samooja and Swede Soderberg carded bogeys - to propel themselves into the reckoning. The trio all had chances to win it at the 72nd hole but their putts slipped just by.

Romero's stunning 61

Romero is a very patient man. There was a decade between his two European Tour wins and on Friday he fired his lowest round to date, some 18 years after his first appearance. His second-round 61 was also the lowest score posted at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club all week. He went on to finish the week in second after coming up short in the five man play-off.