FINAL LEADERBOARD (GB & Ire unless stated) -10 D McGrane; -1 S Griffiths, O Wilson, M Lorenzo-Vera (Fr); Level M Brown (NZ), G McDowell, M Brier (Aut)
 Damien McGrane won the China Open by nine strokes |
Ireland's Damien McGrane clinched his first European Tour title by winning the China Open by nine strokes. McGrane had taken a three-stroke lead into the final round and carded a one-over 73 to finish the tournament with a 10-under total of 278. English pair Simon Griffiths and Oliver Wilson shared second place with Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France. In driving rain on the final day, Graeme McDowell finished tied in fifth, one shot behind them on level par.  | The weather, if not on my side, helped stop other players making a charge at my lead |
With the rest of the players seeing their scorecards littered with bogeys, McGrane kept his cool to produce an impressive round which included two birdies and three bogeys. The 37-year-old Irishman's victory had looked certain as soon as he reached the turn with a four-stroke lead. "Anyone with any sense wouldn't have gone out in that," said McGrane, who took home the winner's cheque of �183,500. "It was one of those days where everyone had to knuckle down and do they best they can. "The weather, if not on my side, helped stop other players making a charge at my lead. "Once I made as many pars as possible, the tournament was mine." Playing partner Wilson from Mansfield endured a torrid day on the wet course and carded nine bogeys in a round of 79. Griffiths had a 74 and Lorenzo-Vera a 79. New Zealander Mark Brown carded a costly triple bogey on the 18th to throw away a potential second place finish and returned to the clubhouse tied for third.
|
Bookmark with:
What are these?