Fraser takes play-off victory in Russia

Australian Marcus Fraser won a sudden-death playoff with Austria's Martin Wiegele today to win the Russian Open title and seal…

Australian Marcus Fraser won a sudden-death playoff with Austria's Martin Wiegele today to win the Russian Open title and seal his third victory in nine weeks.

Both players finished three strokes ahead of the field on 19-under-par with closing rounds of four-under-par 68.

After birdeying the first extra hole with short putts they then struggled playing the 18th at Moscow Country Club for the third time in the day.

After first needing to chip out of trees, Fraser hit to 12 feet and holed the putt for his par, while Wiegele was unable to drop his slightly shorter putt after missing the green with his approach.

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For 25-year-old Fraser it was the continuation of a rich vein of form that had earned him Danish Open and Finnish Challenge titles in the last two months on the Challenge Tour.

His third success, worth $70,000, had the bonus of a one-year exemption to the main tour in the event co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Challenge Tour.

Damian McGrane, Ireland's sole representative in the final two days, finished nine shots off the pace on 10 under par after shooting a 71 in the final round.