European Tour: Gary Murphy's bid to claim his maiden European Tour victory fell apart on the back nine yesterday as he watched playing partner Niclas Fasth capture the Mallorca Classic and complete his own Spanish double.
Fasth, who won the Spanish Open at San Roque in April, carded a final round of 68 for a five-under-par total of 275 at Pula Golf Club, one of just four players to finish under par.
Murphy, who had been joint leader with Fasth after three rounds, slumped to a 76 to finish in joint 13th at three over. That included bogeying the last four holes.
But that late collapse was not enough to prevent him from keeping his card for next season. The 34-year-old had started the week in the 118th and last automatic place to keep his card on the Order of Merit. But this week's exploits sees Murphy end the season at 104th in the table.
Paul McGinley finished best of the Irish after a closing 67 left him sharing sixth place.
Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia, first and second here the last two years, was second again after a closing 68 completed despite a brief invasion of the 18th green by two protesters, believed to campaigning against the building of more golf courses on the island, as he stood over his second shot.
Scotland's Marc Warren and Spain's Jose Manuel Lara were the only other players in red figures on one under.
"I've had a somewhat average summer but felt the game was coming together again," Fasth said. "I've been having more fun and relaxing more and it's fantastic to win.
"It's not often you have a three-shot lead coming up the last and are able to relax and enjoy the win."
Fasth was never headed once he claimed the outright lead with a birdie on the sixth.
Fasth is the first non-Spaniard to win the title. Miguel Angel Jimenez won the inaugural event in 2003, Garcia winning in 2004 and Jose Maria Olazabal triumphing last year.
"I feel like I played really, really well today and gave myself so many chances," said Garcia, who has now posted 10 top-10 finishes this season without a victory. "I don't know how some of the putts I hit didn't go in.
"It's a shame I couldn't have gone one better but I'm looking forward to next season."
