• Wales Open, Round Four

McDowell holds off Davies' challenge to win in Wales

Graeme McDowell finished 15-under © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Rose bounces back into top 50
  
• News: Wales Open future in doubt
  
• Profile: Luke Donald | Colin Montgomerie

Gallery

Graeme McDowell produced his second successive blistering round to seal his first European Tour triumph of the season at the Wales Open.

McDowell was level-par through 36 holes, but he raced to the win by adding a 63 on Sunday to the 64 he carded on the previous day.

The 30-year-old finished the tournament 15-under-par at the Celtic Manor course, which will host the Ryder Cup later this year.

"I think it's going to be a fantastic venue for the Ryder Cup. I knew I had to win at least once this summer [to be in Ryder Cup contention] and this [triumph] is certainly going to stand me in good stead," McDowell told Sky Sports.

McDowell began the final day four shots behind overnight leader Marcel Siem, but he soon found himself firmly in contention after the German had a quadruple-bogey seven at the third. Siem, who was unable to shrug off the disappointment of his inauspicious start, would finish the tournament in seventh.

There were no early wobbles for McDowell, who came scorching out of the traps by securing birdies at six of the first eight holes. Both he and local hope Rhys Davies, who shot a course record 62, reached the turn in 30 - but Davies had started the day too far back to threaten the Ulsterman's bid for the title. He was forced to settle for the runner-up spot at three strokes off the pace.

World No. 9 Luke Donald, sure to return later in the year for the Ryder Cup, finished five shots behind McDowell in third place after a 65 - his third consecutive round of less than 70. Ultimately he was made to pay for his disastrous opening 75, which featured five bogeys and a solitary birdie.

It was a similar story for Stephen Gallacher - he signed off on a flawless 63 on Saturday, but he was always fighting against the tide after he found himself at one-over through 36 holes. He carried his Saturday form into the final day, hitting a 69, and finished in a tie for fourth with Robert Rock and Eduardo Molinari at nine-under.

Gallacher's countryman Colin Montgomerie endured another day to forget - the European captain will hope this is the only disappointment he has to suffer at Celtic Manor this year - to finish the tournament at three-over.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.