Green takes full advantage of Martin's collapse

PORTUGAL MASTERS:AUSTRALIA'S RICHARD Green shot a final-round seven under par to claim the Portugal Masters title as overnight leader Pablo Martin's challenge fell apart in Vilamoura.

Martin led by three strokes overnight shot a closing 75, three over, to finish in a tie for sixth on 15 under par. That allowed Green to storm through from seven shots back, courtesy of an eventful round which saw him card 11 birdies against four bogeys.

He claimed the clubhouse lead on 18 under par and faced an anxious wait as Martin completed his round. The Spaniard hit back-to-back bogeys at the 15th and 16th, but a birdie at 17 meant a final birdie would have sent him into a play-off. It was not to be, however, as a second double bogey of his disappointing round after driving into the water meant he even missed out on second.

The round of the day belonged to Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari, who claimed nine birdies and an eagle at the par-five third for his second 10-under-par round of the weekend, giving him a share of second.

Alongside the Italian on 16 under were Swede Robert Karlsson, Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Joost Luiten of Holland. England’s David Dixon and Ireland’s Paul Lawrie shared sixth with Martin.

Green said: “I hit the ball good all week. Today has probably been my best day with the putter I’ve had all week. I’ve averaged 31 putts for the round over the first three days and today they started to go in which was great.

“I’ve been playing well for a while now so I’ve been looking forward to these few weeks with the nice weather.”

Elsewhere, Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand closed with a superb seven under par final round 64 to capture his fourth victory of 2010 in the Benahavis Seniors Masters in Marbella and place one hand on the European Senior Tour Order of Merit crown.

Ruangkit began the day with a one stroke lead over Jerry Bruner, finished an impressive seven shots clear of defending champion Carl Mason and another Englishman, John Gould, after carding a remarkable 10 birdies.

Ruangkit finished the tournament on 16 under par 197 to capture the first victory on European soil of his career and add to the three titles he won at the start of the season in Brunei, Thailand and South Africa.

Jimmy Hegarty was the best of the Irish contingent on four under – twelve shots off the winner – in a share of 17th place after a final round of 69. Des Smyth was level overall after a round of 73 on Sunday. Denis O’Sullivan carded a 67 – which included a double bogey on the 13th and eagle on the 14th – to finish on three over.