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Andersson Hed holds on for maiden tour title

Fredrik Andersson Hed overcame a spirited challenge from England's David Horsey to claim the title by a single shot © Getty Images

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Sweden's Fredrik Andersson Hed survived a final-round scare to claim his first European Tour title on his 245th attempt.

The 38-year-old from Halmstad came into the final round with a six-shot lead but struggled to find the form which saw him shoot a stunning nine-under-par third-round 63 and was level with David Horsey with six holes to play. But a bogey on the 14th by Horsey put the Swede back in control and a string of six pars on the final stretch was enough for the world No. 277 to close out the win.

"On the front nine I was very tense but I started loosening up a bit on 11 and then I started playing a little bit better," Andersson Hed told Sky Sports. "I never played brilliantly but I just got a little bit more solid for the final 7 holes.

"It means a lot of course to win, both in terms of ranking points and self-confidence. It would have been even better to have played well today but to be first is great."

The Swede spent last season battling it out in qualifying school and felt the pressure he experienced in gaining his tour card helped him overcome a poor opening to emerge triumphant.

"It is the same tension in qualifying school as it is out here on the main Tour when you are in contention."

Englishman Horsey provided great excitement as he hunted down the faltering leader with several great birdie putts. But a sloppy drive on the 14th led to a bogey and another wayward tee shot on the final hole ended the 25-year-old's chances of securing a first European Tour title.

"I'm very disappointed with my finish after putting pressure on him [Andersson Hed]," Horsey said. "I got off to a great start through nine and then birdied 11, 12 and 13.

"I lost my momentum on 14 after a bad drive and then I threw it away on the final hole as I made a mess of the last.

"I didn't look at the leaderboard until I got to 14 and saw it was pretty close and I felt if I could par in then it might be enough - but it wasn't. It was exciting out there though. That is what we all play golf for to be in contention at a tournament and I will take a lot of experience from this and be better for it next time.

"All in all it has been a good week and hopefully I can take this form on to Wentworth."

Andersson Hed's playing partner, Miguel Angel Jimenez, began the day with an encouraging birdie at the first but saw any hopes of a title challenge wrecked by three bogeys on the front nine. Two further blips on the inward nine saw him slip to a disastrous final-round 76. Robert Rock recovered from two disappointing rounds of 73 to shoot 68 and to join the Spaniard in a tie for 17th.

Chris Wood followed up his flawless third-round 65 with a solid closing effort of 70 to secure a share of third alongside Sweden's Peter Gustafsson and Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts on 12-under.

Welshman Stephen Dodd and England's Graeme Storm finished in a tie for seventh. Dodd enjoyed an eventful day as he hit seven birdies and two bogeys on his way to final round-round 67. Storm also finished a decent week off with four birdies and a single bogey in his round of 69.

Matteo Manassero completed an encouraging start to his professional career with a closing-round 71 to finish in a tie for 29th on five-under.

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