EUROPEAN TOUR PORTUGUESE OPEN:THOMAS BJORN returned to winning ways with a comprehensive, five-shot victory at the Estoril Open de Portugal yesterday.
The Dane saw off a fine challenge from Richard Green with a closing 68 for a 23-under-par aggregate of 265.
Australian left-hander Green had nibbled away at the two-time Ryder Cup winner’s three-shot overnight lead from the outset.
He got within one before a decisive swing in Bjorn’s direction at the 14th and 15th gave the 39-year-old his 10th European Tour title and first for more than four years.
Former Dubai Desert Classic winner Green bogeyed the par four 14th as his playing partner birdied, and when Bjorn’s tee-shot went within five feet at the par three next the former could only respond by hitting his into a bunker and dropping another shot.
That saw Bjorn pull five clear, and although he bogeyed the 16th he managed to avoid a nervous finish.
Green closed with a 70 to finish 18 under for the week, with Dane Mark F Haastrup third on 16 under following a 67.
Damien McGrane had made a strong bid by getting to four under par for his round and 18 under overall by the 11th, but then the Irishman closed with five consecutive bogeys to finish on his own in fifth place.
Darren Clarke recovered some form to shoot a fine 66 to finish one shot behind McGrane.
