French Open Update: Rookie Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal held his nerve today to claim one of Europe's top prizes by winning the French Open in only his 17th European Tour start.
Larrazabal, 25, again thwarted several of Europe's most illustrious names as he closed with a four-under par 67 for a 15-under total of 269 to finish four shots clear of eight times European number one Colin Montgomerie.
Montgomerie, recording his best result since winning the European Open a year ago, holed a 40ft birdie putt on the 18th for a 68 to assure him sole possession of second place.
Denmark's Ryder Cup hopeful Soren Hansen, second in this event last year, carded a 69 to finish a further stroke back.
Starting three strokes ahead of the field, Larrazabal refused to be intimidated by the big names behind him that included another former European number one, Lee Westwood, who made a fast start to add to the pressure.
Instead of being fazed, the world number 481 increased his lead by picking up three birdies in the first five holes before a double-bogey on the ninth reduced his lead to just two strokes over Montgomerie.
Mistakes by the experienced men tracking him, along with birdies on the 10th and 11th, allowed Larrazabal to regain complete control.
Despite dropping another shot on the long 14th, he again responded with two successive birdies to land the €666,660 first prize.
Paul McGinley fired a superb final round 65 to move into a tie for seventh after starting the day tied 43rd.
The Ryder Cup star recorded four birdies in his opening six holes, and seven in all, with just the one dropped shot coming at the 14th.
Graeme McDowell recovered from a poor start to eventually card a level par 71 and finish one behind McGinley on four-under.
Peter Lawrie picked up several places with his closing 71 to finish the tournament on two-under.
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