• Andalucia Valderrama Masters, Round Four

McDowell hangs on for Valderrama victory

Graeme McDowell survived difficult conditions to claim his third title of the year © Getty Images

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Graeme McDowell sealed his place in the world top ten for the first time after holding out for a two-stroke victory at the Valderrama Masters.

The US Open champion clinched his third title of the year to put pressure on Race to Dubai leader Martin Kaymer ahead of the Dubai World Championship on November 25.

It was a nervy finish for McDowell, who bogeyed his final hole, but his three-over 74 was enough for victory after Gareth Maybin's challenge faded.

The two Northern Irishmen shared the lead at the start of the day, but Maybin's 76 saw him slip back to tie for second with Damien McGrane and Soren Kjeldsen, who was one of only three players in the field to card a sub-par round in difficult conditions.

Ireland's McGrane threatened to spoil McDowell's charge after four birdies saw him top the leaderboard on three-under, but a double bogey on the 16th, followed by back-to-back bogeys halted his challenge.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, a three-time winner on the European Tour this season, finished tied for seventh on one-over after a final-round 74, while his compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal signed for a one-under 70 to claim a share of tenth.

Olazabal, who is the favourite to replace Colin Montgomerie as Europe's next Ryder Cup captain was joined on four-over by another Spaniard, Sergio Garcia, whose double bogey on the 17th saw him slip down the field. After showing signs of a revival with his 69 on Saturday, Garcia carded a disappointing 76 to finish tied for tenth, one stroke ahead of England's Ross Fisher who ended with a double bogey to sign for 73.

Kaymer's woes continued as he suffered his worst round to go to seven-over-par. Kaymer had the chance to succeed Tiger Woods as world No. 1 with a top-two finish in Spain, but his final-round 75 saw him finish ten shots off the pace, to hand Lee Westwood the No.1 spot.

Kaymer, who had been flying high after three victories in as many months, started brightly with a birdie on the third, but followed this immediately with back-to-back bogeys which set the tone for the rest of his error-strewn round.

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