Borrego captures Madeira Open title

Spain's Diego Borrego has captured his second European Tour title with victory in the Madeira Island Open today.

Spain's Diego Borrego has captured his second European Tour title with victory in the Madeira Island Open today.

Borrego overcame strong winds at Santo da Serra to card a final-round 69 for a seven-under-par total of 281, and one-shot victory over compatriot Ivo Giner.

Giner missed a four-foot par putt on the last hole to force a play-off and had to settle for a share of second place with Holland's Maarten Lafeber.

England's Roger Winchester claimed fourth place a shot further back after firing a superb 67, the best round of the day.

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Borrego's only previous tournament victory came in the Turespana Masters in 1996, and he was in danger of losing his Tour card last season before finishing third in the penultimate event.

The 30-year-old was one of 21 players forced to complete their third round this morning after fog brought an early end to play on yesterday evening, a level-par 72 leaving him three shots off the lead.

That gap was soon up to four shots as he bogeyed the first hole of the final round, but from then on the Spaniard played flawless golf, carding four birdies to set the clubhouse target.

Playing in the group behind, Giner's approach came up short of the 18th green and after chipping to four feet, he missed the putt that would have forced a sudden-death play-off.

Ireland’s Philip Walton couldn’t maintain the pace and shot a three-over 75 after promising so much yesterday. The 1995 Ryder Cup star started the day just two shots behind the leaders but today’s round, which included double-bogeys at the first and ninth, left him tied in ninth place on two-under 286.

The defending champion Des Smyth rounded off a mediocre performance with a second consecutive 73. It still gave the Drogheda professional a top 20 finish on one-over 289.

PA