• Open de Espana, Day Four

Aiken clinches first Euro title

Thomas Aiken never really looked in danger on Sunday in Barcelona © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Glover and Aiken ride wins to rankings boost
  
• News: Round Three: Emotional afternoon for players
  
• News: Round Two: Aiken shows benefits of brief break
  
• News: Round One: Larrazabal raises home hopes
  
• Profile: Thomas Aiken

Leaderboard

South African Thomas Aiken held his nerve to claim his first win on the European Tour at the Open de Espana, thanks to a final round 70.

Aiken, returning to action after a seven-week absence that included four weeks spent relaxing away from the game in the Caribbean, started the day with a two-shot lead over a whole host of players, but eased his nerves early on with two birdies in his opening six holes.

Dane Anders Hansen emerged as Aiken's likeliest challenger after two birdies of his own around the turn, especially after the leader bogeyed the 13th for his first wobble of the day.

But Hansen himself also dropped a shot on the same hole, and failed to make any inroads the rest of the way in - leaving Aiken's path to victory somewhat clearer.

The 27-year-old birdied 14 before dropping another shot at 15, but he subsequently steadied the ship with two straight pars and a par five at the last was enough to give him a two-shot victory at ten-under.

"I put the ball in play, hit a lot of greens today," Aiken told Sky Sports afterwards. "I made a few clutch putts but it was quite nerve-wracking, I'm not going to lie.

"The three-putt at 13 rattled me a bit, but I birdied the next and that settled me down. All in all, just ecstatic to finish ahead at the finish line!"

Hansen did secure second, finding a birdie on the last for an eight-under total to pip home favourite Pablo Larrazabal and Scott Jamieson, who both carded final round 71s.

Paul Lawrie (67) and Simon Dyson (68) were two players who shot up the leaderboard with great early rounds to post a target of six-under, but they were eventually overhauled by the later starters.

Philip Price (69) also finished at the mark, alongside David Horsey and Gregory Havret - who was joined by fellow Frenchman Romain Wattel after a final hole birdie added a flourish to an up-and-down day for the promising youngster.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.