• Portugal Masters

Final round 63 snatches Portugal Masters for Lynn

Lynn started the day six strokes back © Getty Images

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David Lynn snatched the Portugal Masters from under the nose of his rivals with an inspired final-round 63 to claim his first European Tour title in nine years.

The Englishman, whose only previous win in almost 400 events came at the 2004 KLM Open, moves back into the world's top 50 after coming from six shots back to edge Justin Walters by a single stroke.

Lynn carded five birdies on the front nine at Oceanico Victoria Golf Club to reach the turn in just 30, before a bogey at 10 halted his progress. But it proved to be a mere blip as he picked up further shots at 11, 14, 15 and 17 to set a clubhouse target of 18-under par that was not matched.

Lynn, who struggled to a 73 on Saturday, said: "I was really disappointed when I walked off the course yesterday, I just didn't hole any putts and made seven at 17 and thought maybe I had played myself out of it.

"Today was just a case of going out there and making as many birdies as I could. I must admit I was thinking of Scott Jamieson's 60 [in the third round] and, if I could do something like that, who knows?

"The wind was up quite a bit today so eight-under is a really good score. I really caught fire on the front nine, I was making everything I looked at, although I hit it to one-foot at the first which got me off to a really good start. After that I made a couple of great putts for par to keep the momentum going and then I was making the birdie putts."

Walters' runner-up spot, which was secured by a 40-foot putt at the 18th, was enough to see the South African secure his Tour card for next season. The South African broke down in tears after the end of his round following the death of his mother just two weeks ago.

Walters had looked certain to drop a shot on the last after finding a fairway bunker with his tee shot, but when the monster putt found the hole he punched the air in delight before the tears began to flow.

"I don't know if I can talk much right now," the 32-year-old from Johannesburg said. "Coming into the week I really didn't have any goals or ambitions, I just wanted to play and honour my mum and make her proud.

"The putts kept dropping and I kept hitting some decent shots and the last one at the end, she made it for sure. It was probably the best moment of my career. It was so cool because I had a lot on the line.

"I hadn't looked at a leaderboard all day so didn't know where I stood in terms of keeping my card and for it to go in on the last, all the emotions hit me.

"I don't think I have the words for it just yet. Maybe after a drink with my dad who is here with me we can fully take it all in, but at first glance I don't know how I did it. I am super proud and so happy I could honour my mum. That feels the best for me right now."

Stephen Gallacher, Paul Waring and Bernd Weisberger shared third spot at 16-under, one stroke clear of in-form pair Hennie Otto and Jamie Donaldson.

Portugal Masters final leaderboard

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