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Irishman McGrane triumphs in China by nine strokes

20/04/2008

Ireland's Damien McGrane romped to victory by nine strokes in the China Open.

The 37-year-old clinched his first European Tour title after carding a one-over par 73 in heavy rain.

McGrane finished on ten under for the tournament, with English duo Simon Griffiths and Oliver Wilson sharing second place with France's Michael Lorenzo-Vera.

The Irishman, who led by three strokes overnight, made two birdies and three bogeys at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club

McGrane, who pockets a winners' cheque for £183,500 said it was a relief to secure a tour victory.

"I have been thinking about winning one tournament for so long and this week everything went my way. I had good fortune, loved the course and the bad weather didn't put me off my game today," McGrane said.

"Everything I have ever expected and now I have my first win on this tour which is big for me."

"My short game this week was excellent and I knew if the weather turned, everyone would need their short game and would rely on it.

"I was lucky in that I knew going out I had the short game required and I made the most of my opportunities and there wasn't many out there."

McGrane's partner Wilson endured a nightmare round on the wet course and carded nine bogeys in his 79 while compatriot Griffiths went round in 74.

New Zealand's Mark Brown had to settle for third place after a triple bogey on the 18th.