Cairo/Egypt – The final of the NewGiza Pyramids Challenge 2022 could not have been much more exciting. Maximilian Herrmann and Alexandre Petit offered each other a high-class duel for the title in the second tournament of the Pro Golf Tour season on the last day. Herrmann, the leader after the first two days, was already caught up by the Frenchman early in the final round – who then also set the best mark in the clubhouse at six under par after a 67 (-5). The German, however, did not give in. He had already shown himself in good shape all week and now continued to trust his match plan. "With the strong wind, it was important to keep the ball in play," said Herrmann, who ultimately came into the clubhouse with a 71 (-1), forcing a playoff.

Together with Petit, it was back to the 18th hole. "The key to success was that I probably holed one or two short putts more than the others," explained Herrmann, who converted just such an important putt on the first extra hole of the playoff to crown himself the winner of the NewGiza Pyramids Challenge. "I have to collect myself first," Herrmann said shortly after the decisive par. "There was so much going on today, but of course I'm happy that I made it in the end."

On a journey with his twin brother

The first professional success for Herrmann is the next chapter in a career that is slowly gaining momentum. Just a few weeks ago, the 26-year-old, who learned to play golf at Golfclub Wörthsee, secured a restricted tour card for the PGA Tour Canada. "The Q-School event was in the middle of two other mini-tour tournaments in the U.S. and that's why we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity," said Herrmann, who was referring to his twin brother Alexander, who will also tee off on the PGA Tour Canada in 2022.

Both have been walking the path as golf professionals together since the beginning and can count on each other's support. "With us, one doesn't necessarily want to be better than the other. We've always supported each other and been happy for each other." And so, in the end, not only Maximilian had a grin on his face, but also his brother Alexander, who shared third place with Marco Iten from Switzerland.

Leaderboard: All results at a glance

Before the Pro Golf Tour takes its first short break, the Allegria Open 2022 is scheduled for March 25. Here, in Alan de Bondt and Maximilian Herrmann, both previous winners from this season will be competing. Herrmann, meanwhile, has not yet given much thought to long-term season planning. "I'll have to take a look at that. It's nice to have several options and Canada is a nice country, after all." The same goes for Egypt – the country that Herrmann will forever have fond memories of, at the latest with his victory in the NewGiza Pyramids Challenge in 2022.