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Otto clinches maiden Tour triumph by one stroke in Italy

11/05/2008

Hennie Otto saw off the challenge of England's Oliver Wilson to win the Italian Open by one stroke.

Despite blowing a five-shot lead, the South African clinches his maiden European Tour title after finishing on 25-under.

He carded 69 and sunk a six-foot putt to par the 18th and clinch victory, while Wilson carded 64 for a third runners-up finish of the season.

Otto finished with an aggregate of 263 at Castello di Tolscinasco, which is one outside Percy Alliss's 1935 tournament record.

The 31-year-old admitted he was relieved to seal victory after needing six shots at the 12th.

"I thought I was under the lip of the bunker on the last," Otto said.

"But when I saw where it finished I said to my caddy 'let's just get this on the green, two putt and go home'.

"It's great to win. I have been working very hard on my putting and I don't think I've ever holed more long putts than I did this week."

Meanwhile, Wilson will be ruing damaging his putter by banging it against his bag in frustration on Friday, forcing him to use a wedge on the greens.

The former Walker Cup player said he did not put pressure on himself having started the day six shots adrift.

"I got off to a good start and just played steady and nicely and got it going through the middle of the round," Wilson said.

"I didn’t quite hit it close enough on the last few holes to put real pressure on him but I shot eight under so I can’t really complain.

"At the end of the day I want to win and I want to win badly but if I keep getting into contention it is only a matter of time before it happens.

"I have played great this week and I am sure it will not be long. There are some big tournaments coming up so we will see how I go in those."

Sweden's Robert Karlsson, who set a course record of 61 on Friday, finished in third while England's Phillip Archer and German Marcel Siem were joint fourth.