#Letakan iklan disini
Golf Jun 12, 2026

DP World Tour: Kota Kaneko wins Austrian Alpine Open for first European title while Andrew Johnston's challenge fades

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
DP World Tour: Kota Kaneko wins Austrian Alpine Open for first European title while Andrew Johnston's challenge fades

Japan's Kota Kaneko secured his maiden DP World Tour win on just his 12th appearance with a two-stroke victory in the Austrian Alpine Open on Sunday.

The 23-year-old shot a final-round 67 to finish at 18 under, two shots ahead of America's Davis Bryant and Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia.

Having topped the leaderboard heading into the weekend, England's Andrew 'Beef' Johnston recorded his second-successive even-par round to finish seven shots off the pace in a tie for 17th.

Kaneko came into the event in strong form having finished tied-second at last week's Soudal Open in Belgium and held a one-shot lead heading into the final day's play in Kitzbuhel after three successive 65s.

A final-round of 67 was enough for the Japanese player to take the title on Sunday, although he had to come through a 71-minute delay due to the threat of lightning in the area and then some nervy moments when back on the course across the final four holes.

After dropping a shot at the par-five 15th when play resumed, Kaneko seemed to surprise himself by chipping in from off the edge of the green to retake the solo lead from Bryant at the next hole, the par-three 16th.

Two holes later at the last and, now holding a two-shot lead and seeming set to clinch the title with relative ease, he had a lucky escape off the tee.

His tee shot hit the stand at the back of the hole, went back across the green and was only saved from the water and a costly drop shot by the thick greenside rough.

But Kaneko made no mistake from there and, after after a tournament-clinching par, said: "I'm just really happy. I still can't believe that I won.

"[At the 16th] I knew I hit it hard, but it went in so I was lucky.

"I knew I hit the board [at the 18th] but I knew it didn't go in the water, so I was just happy it didn't find the water."

The DP World Tour's European Swing continues at the KLM Open in the Netherlands, live from Thursday through to Sunday on Your Site Golf. or

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

PGA Tour: Jack Nicklaus reveals advice to Rory McIlroy before Northern Irishman won The Masters for second time

PGA Tour: Jack Nicklaus reveals advice to Rory McIlroy before Northern Irishman won The Masters for second time

Jack Nicklaus told Rory McIlroy to get "no double bogeys" before the Northern Irish golfer went on to win his second straight Masters title.Nicklaus s...

DP World Tour: Andrew 'Beef' Johnston falls back at Austrian Alpine Open as Kota Kaneko leads heading into final round

DP World Tour: Andrew 'Beef' Johnston falls back at Austrian Alpine Open as Kota Kaneko leads heading into final round

Andrew 'Beef' Johnston fell back after starting the day atop the leaderboard at the Austrian Alpine Open and sits four shots off the pace set by Japan...

Memorial Tournament: Rory McIlroy content with Muirfield start after early setback as Tommy Fleetwood impresses in first round

Memorial Tournament: Rory McIlroy content with Muirfield start after early setback as Tommy Fleetwood impresses in first round

Rory McIlroy was pleased with the way he overcame an early setback to remain in contention after the first round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfie...

LIV Golf League: Jon Rahm explains why he won't follow Bryson DeChambeau in having direct role to find new funding

LIV Golf League: Jon Rahm explains why he won't follow Bryson DeChambeau in having direct role to find new funding

Jon Rahm has confirmed he will not be joining Bryson DeChambeau in meeting with potential investors to try and help secure LIV Golf's long-term future...

LPGA Tour: Celine Boutier wins ShopRite LPGA ahead of US Women's Open as Ireland's Lauren Walsh finishes third

LPGA Tour: Celine Boutier wins ShopRite LPGA ahead of US Women's Open as Ireland's Lauren Walsh finishes third

France's Celine Boutier rallied from a four-shot deficit on Sunday, making three birdies around the turn on her way to a five-under 66 for a one-shot...

US Women's Open: Nelly Korda admits 'it wasn't a great day' as Jennifer Kupcho sets early pace in first round at Riviera Country Club

US Women's Open: Nelly Korda admits 'it wasn't a great day' as Jennifer Kupcho sets early pace in first round at Riviera Country Club

Nelly Korda admitted she was surprised how poorly she had played as she began her US Women's Open challenge with a two-over 73.The world No 1 has fini...