Yannik Paul grabs maiden DP World Tour win at Mallorca Golf Open

By Matt Smith
The DP World Tour has its newest champion as Yannik Paul sensationally claimed the Mallorca Golf Open by a single shot.

Paul was the co-leader with seasoned Kiwi Ryan Fox, but the Ras Al Khaimah champion was out of the running as Marcus Armitage emerged as the main thread to Germany’s Paul.

The youngster was in command, but a two-shot swing on the 15th gave partner Armitage a two-stroke lead with only three holes to play.

But, just as dramatic, Armitage imploded — dropping three shots over the next two holes as Paul made par on the 17th.

Tied for the lead on the last with Paul Waring and Nicolai von Dellingshausen as Armitage lost his way, Paul made a clutch birdie from 15-feet to claim his first DP World Tour crown in 26 appearances.

Paul’s three birdies and four bogeys were good enough — just — at Son Muntaner Golf Club and he carded a total of 15-under, while Armitage back on 12-under.

28-year-old rookie @YannikPaul is a Tour winner ???#MallorcaGolfOpen pic.twitter.com/BxCvFI6AuN
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 23, 2022

Fellow German Von Dellingshausen and Englishman Waring were T2 on 14-uner, while Fox clung on for T4 alongside Engalnd’s Dale Whitnell,

Ryan Fox has moved up to second in the DPWT rankings after another solid showing this season, overtaking US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick.

“I’m speechless, honestly, I’m just so happy,” said Paul.

“My girlfriend and I, we worked a lot on my mental side and we were dreaming that she would be here for my first win, and she’s here now, it’s unbelievable.

“It was really hard today. My ball-striking was unbelievable all week. I hit it really close at the first couple of holes and couldn’t make any putts.

“So that was really hard to just stay in the moment. But luckily none of the other guys really made a lot of putts.

“I saw after nine holes that I was in the lead and then Marcus obviously hit a great shot on 15 and holed a great putt so I was two shots away and I thought ‘OK, now it’s going to get close’.

“I couldn’t have dreamt of a better ending so I’m over the moon.”