EUROPEAN TOUR: CHARL SCHWARTZEL won the Madrid Masters after a flawless five-under-par 66 in the final round left him three shots ahead of second-placed Ricardo Gonzalez.

The South African took a one-shot lead into the final round following scores of 69, 64 and 66 on the par-71 Club de Campo course, and he was in imperious form again, racking up two birdies on the front nine and three more on the way back.

Argentinian Gonzalez, who came from nowhere with a nine-under-par 62 in the third round, threatened in patches to overthrow the South African atop the leaderboard, as did Englishman Robert Rock, who launched an early assault on the way to a stunning seven-under-par 64.

Pablo Larrazabal had two early birdies but he lacked the same spark which ignited his nine-under 62 on Saturday and a 67 meant he finished third on 15 under.

Ultimately the classy Schwartzel was too strong, despite admitting earlier in the tournament he had been struggling with injury and illness. "I played very well again today," said the 24-year-old after his third European Tour win.

"I woke up this morning and felt a lot better than I have been feeling. I thought I ground it out nicely all week. I just managed to keep it going today."

The par-five seventh hole was a turning point in the battle between Schwartzel and Gonzalez. The former hit his second shot way right of the green, but produced a well controlled chip out of the trees to within three feet and sank the putt for birdie.

Gonzalez, however, had a five-footer for birdie which slid wide, and he had to settle for a seventh successive par, allowing Schwartzel to creep three shots ahead.

Rock, four groups in front, increased the pressure, his birdies coming in clusters at two, three and four, seven, eight and nine and then 12, 13, and 14, but Schwartzel turned the screw midway through the back nine.

A sublime approach shot at 13 left him with a six-foot putt for birdie which he holed, and he moved to 18 under on the next hole with some equally impressive short play.

Another birdie followed on the par-three 17th after he put his tee shot within six feet, all but clinching the title.

Schwartzel admitted he was glad he took his father's advice on Friday to not withdraw from the competition. He had considered pulling out because of a shoulder problem and a virus, but persevered following a telephone conversation with his father George.

Damien McGrane will be happy with his weekend's work with four sub-70 rounds leaving him nine shots off the winner on 274.