Stenson wins BMW International with eagle on first playoff hole

Henrik Stenson eagled the first playoff hole yesterday to win the BMW International.

Stenson, who will make his Ryder Cup debut later this month, shot a 4-under 68 to force a three-way tie with two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen (67) and Padraig Harrington (69) at 15-under 273.

The Swede hit a 5-iron to within five feet on the first playoff hole, the 568-yard 18th. Goosen missed an eagle putt from 25 feet, while Harrington drove into the rough and then found a greenside bunker with his second shot.

"I'm a little lucky," Stenson said. "Sometimes you need the right bounces. I had a bad one on the 16th."

Stenson won the Qatar Masters and had two second-place finishes early this year but has struggled since.

"But I played a little better in America the last few months. I'm still not putting great but it was good enough today," Stenson said.

David Howell, the overnight leader on the Nord-Eichenried course, failed to get into the playoff when he missed a three-foot birdie attempt on the 72nd hole. Howell could only manage an even-par 72 for fourth place, the same as Martin Erlandsson (70).

Luke Donald (67) and Colin Montgomerie (71) shared sixth, two shots behind the leaders.

Montgomerie chipped in from the rough at the 10th, but he bogeyed the 11th when he drove into water and had to take a penalty drop.

"I just didn't score today. I played well and that's the best performance in a few months," Montgomerie said. "After the 11th, I just couldn't find a birdie."