Levy edges Frittelli in playoff to claim China Open title

The 2014 winner, who was seven shots behind Frittelli at the start of the final day, birdied the 18th hole to card a 67 and force a playoff with the South African at 17-under-par for the tournament.

(Reuters)

Earlier, Frittelli was in the driving seat after taking a four-shot lead to the back nine but a double bogey on the 12th hole saw him lose momentum.

Following his fourth European Tour title and his first of the season, Levy said he is aiming for a home Ryder Cup appearance at Le Golf National in 2018.

"That's an amazing feeling to be back in the winner's circle," Levy said.

"It's a goal and a dream for me to play the Ryder Cup in France. I will do a lot of work to play the Ryder Cup and I will do my best to be part of the team."

Pablo Larrazabal, who started the day in second, endured a terrible start with back-to-back bogeys and signed off with a 72 to finish third.

Austria's Bernd Wiesberger, last week's winner at Shenzhen International, maintained his impressive run in China after carding a 67. He finished tied-fourth alongside England's Chris Wood.

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)