Robert Karlsson wrapped up the Wales Open yesterday, although a stumbling performance in the final round at the Celtic Manor Resort prevented the Swede from breaking the 72-hole European Tour record.

Karlsson had broken the 36 and 54-hole records as he marched to a six-shot lead going into the final day. But his closing two-over-par 71 for a 16-under-par 260 aggregate, three strokes better than Paul Broadhurst, was two shots worse than the record four-round total.

Even with his less than convincing finale, Karlsson had plenty to be happy about in a €364,352 victory, his sixth on the European Tour.

It was his first success in nearly four years and his 364,352 points for winning, hauled him into ninth place on Europe's Ryder Cup table from which 10 qualify automatically in September.

The 36-year-old Swede never looked like throwing all his advantage away but six bogeys, two to finish, littered his card and he had to rely on a run of three birdies in four holes from the 13th to see him home.

His main weakness in the final round was his putting. He three-putted four times.

Karlsson said his lengthy leads over the second and third rounds had finally told on him.

"It has been a great week, but a hard week, being so much in front each day," he said. "It's easy to get in front of yourself. But I just missed too many putts today."

Broadhurst birdied the last for a 68 to claim second place on his own and the Briton's 242,891 points consolidated his eighth place in the Ryder Cup standings, enhancing his chances of a return to Europe's team after a 15-year absence.

Portugal's Jose-Filipe Lima finished a further stroke behind after a joint-best round of the day 64.

Eight-times European number one Colin Montgomerie ended the worst spell of his career with a 67 which earned him fourth place, five strokes behind Karlsson.

Graeme McDowell failed to reproduce the heroics of his fine 64 on Saturday but his final round of 70 saw him finish best of the Irish quartet on a seven under par total of 269, which secured him a tie for 16th place.

Michael Hoey finished one shot behind McDowell following his final round of 70 while David Higgins shot a 67 for a four under total of 272. He was joined in a tie for 28th place by Peter Lawrie who recorded a 68 yesterday.