Alex Noren wins European Masters in playoff with Scott Hend

“It feels incredible to be among Seve Ballesteros and Thomas Bjorn to win two Omega European Masters titles”, said Noren.

Hend cruised three shots clear of the chasing pack with five birdies in the first 10 holes, but saw his lead reduced when playing partner Noren holed from 50 feet for birdie on the 17th.

Englishman Andrew Johnston maintained his recent impressive form as he finished three shots behind in third, with another Englishman, Lee Westwood, two strokes further back in fourth.

Alex Noren of Sweden, victor of the 2009 Omega European Masters, produced a 66 to sit in second place while Richard Bland of England was a further two shots back on a 200 total at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

Hend duck-hooked his tee shot at the 18th but enjoyed a huge slice of fortune when his second pitched short of the stream at the front of the green and hopped onto the putting surface, and he got up and down from the rear rough to force extra holes. Noren, who made this the scene of his first European Tour win in 2009, opened with a birdie today and then made a surge by connecting four straight from Nos. 6-9. Although Hend managed to once again navigate over the water, a 25-footer from Noren sealed a closing birdie and the tournament. “I want to win as many times as I can”, said Hend, who also represented Australia in the Olympics.

“I was just trying to hang in there and finish up with some good birdies”. I worked quite hard this season and tried to really play more golf when I’ve been off and not do so much practice on the driving range. “I took some time off after we had a baby, it’s great to have the family with me here to celebrate”. I tried to play more golf and I feel steadier with my driver.

“It was fantastic. I ve never won coming from behind”.

Johnston closed on 14 under, two ahead of Lee Westwood as the Ryder Cup star gave European captain Darren Clarke plenty to cheer with a flawless seven-birdie 63, the joint-lowest round of the day along with Oliver Fisher.

There was more good news for Clarke with two more of his team – Matt Fitzpatrick and defending champion Danny Willett – both shooting 64 to finish joint seventh and 12th respectively, with Fitzpatrick having only made the cut on the mark of level par with four birdies in his last five holes on Friday.