Wales Open: Scott Strange secured his maiden European Tour at the Wales Open in Celtic Manor today as the Australian won by four shots from Sweden's Robert Karlsson.

Strange, 31, fired a closing seven-under 64 for an impressive  22-under-par 262 total.
   
Karlsson was Strange's only serious challenger in the final round and he too closed with a 64 as both players produced a glut of birdies.
   
Strange, leading the field by three strokes going into the final round, and four ahead of Karlsson overnight, was never headed.
   
The Australian strengthened his position with five birdies in seven holes from the second although Karlsson's run of six birdies-in-a-row around the turn to draw within two strokes of the lead meant Strange could not afford to falter.
   
But Karlsson found water to bogey the 14th and his assault on the title fell away.

At one stage Darren Clarke looked as though he might be a serious challenger after the 39-year-old recorded five birdies in his first eight holes. However, a double bogey at short 13th ended his chances.

Still, Clarke bounced back with an eagle two at the par four 15th after holing his second before signing for a 66. That left the Dungannon man tied fourth on 13-under for the tournament.

Neither Graeme McDowell nor Rory McIlroy got the finish they desired as they both finished five-under after respective rounds of 70 and 72.