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Aussie Strange completes maiden European Tour win

01/06/2008

Australian Scott Strange sank seven birdies to win the Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

Strange, who lead the tournament throughout, finished on 22-under par. The 31-year-old finished four strokes clear of Sweden's Robert Karlsson (64).

Darren Clarke, Benn Barham, and Nick Dougherty finished in joint fourth place on 13-under.

But it was Strange's day as he failed to drop a shot on the course which is the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

The Perth-based golfer, who started the day three strokes clear, settled any nerves with birdies on the second, third, and fourth holes.

Strange went round the front nine in 31, and continued his sensational form with a 30-foot putt to birdie the 14th.

With a comfortable lead, Strange parred the final four holes to seal the biggest win of his career.

Strange revealed he will pull out of tomorrow's US Open qualifying at Walton Heath to celebrate his victory in Wales.

"I'm going to stay the night and have a couple of drinks," Strange said.

"There was a fair bit going on in my head on the final tee and I was a bit numb. I should have taken a few deep breaths. But as the day progressed, though, I got better and better."

Northern Ireland's Clarke threatened to mount a challenge to Strange with four birdies in a row from the second.

Clarke, who began the day seven strokes adrift, then sunk in a birdie on the seventh with a putt from 22-feet.

But his challenge ended when he drove wide of the green and into the water on the 13th hole.

Clarke, 39, said he was not despondent when he made a mistake at the 13th.

"I laughed when I went in the water - I've not always done that," Clarke said.

"I've got to try and make sure I'm exempt for the Open and this whole week has provided me with a lot of positives.

"Life is better and I am very close to the way I want to hit the ball."