Deaf World Champion finishes T2 in European Tour Pro Event
Allen John (Axel Heimken photo)
HAMBURG, GERMANY (July 29, 2018) - German amateur Allen John thrilled the home fans at the Porsche European Open, posting a final-round 67 in windy conditions and nearly getting into a playoff for the win.
The 30-year-old reinstated amateur went out in 1 under, added a birdie at 11, and then made three birdies in a row, capped off at the par-3 17th when he stuck his approach within a few feet from the hole, cut hard against the water's edge.
A par at the last gave him a 67, the low round of the day, and left him as the leader in the clubhouse at 10-under 278.
John watched as two pros matched his 10-under total, and it looked like a playoff was likely until the final pairing came in. English professional Richard McEvoy birdied the last hole to win his first European Tour title in his 285th start.
In his Sunday charge, John passed two Masters champions and one of the hottest young American stars.
The USA's Bryson Dechambeau, the two-time PGA Tour winner and former #1 ranked amateur, was gunning for his first European Tour win but backed up Sunday with a 78 to finish tied for 13th.
Masters champion Patrick Reed was also in contention but faded with a 76 for a ninth place finish. Former Masters champ Charl Schwartzel shot a 70 to tied Reed at 7 under.
John told Golf Live in Germany that his final round was sensational, and how thrilled he was that he was able to take advantage of his chances on the back nine. Translated, his takeaway was that "even if I get back no prize money, I had a lot of fun and the experience here was for me priceless".
Last year, John was the Gold Medalist in the Deaflimpics, an International Olympic Committee-sanctioned event that brings together deaf athletes in a variety of sports from around the world.
John first joined the German national team in 2003 and went on to Georgia State University (where he earned Freshman of the Year honors) in the U.S. before turning professional in 2011. He was reinstated as an amateur in 2016.
John has already experienced success against professionals this summer, winning an event on the Raiffeisen Pro Golf Tour in Germany.