Golf
Andersson Hed wins in Italy
2010-05-09 18:29
Fredrik Andersson Hed (AFP)
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Turin - Fredrik Andersson Hed ended a 13-year wait for his maiden European Tour win when the 38-year-old Swede hung on to claim the Italian Open title on Sunday.
The Swede began the final round six strokes ahead and a nervy one-over-par 73 earned him a two-shot victory over charging Briton David Horsey (68).
Despite carding a magnificent 63 in the third round, Andersson Hed had feared he would be tense on the final day after waiting so long for success and that proved the case. He finished with a 16-under-par 272 total.
His overnight lead was cut to four shots by Miguel Angel Jimenez at the first hole. A bogey by Andersson Hed and a birdie by the Spaniard caused the two-shot swing and left the Swede facing a nerve-jangling final round.
However, Jimenez then lost his way with three bogeys in four holes as Horsey, seven shots behind overnight, came storming after Andersson Hed.
A run of three birdies from the 11th brought the 25-year-old Englishman level with Andersson Hed, who could only manage one-over-par for the front nine.
When Horsey bogeyed the 14th by finding the clinging Royal Park rough, soaked by heavy afternoon rain, and then missing the green, Andersson Hed gained breathing space.
Horsey was unable to make any further headway on the lead and dropped a further shot with a bogey on the 18th, allowing Andersson Hed to pick up the $285 877 first prize with nine straight pars coming home.