McGrane celebrates China victory

FINAL LEADERBOARD (GB & Ire unless stated)
-10 D McGrane; -1 S Griffiths, O Wilson, M Lorenzo-Vera (Fr);
Level M Brown (NZ), G McDowell, M Brier (Aut)

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Damien McGrane won the China Open by nine strokes

Ireland's Damien McGrane clinched his first European Tour title by winning the China Open by nine strokes.

McGrane had taken a three-stroke lead into the final round and carded a one-over 73 to finish the tournament with a 10-under total of 278.

English pair Simon Griffiths and Oliver Wilson shared second place with Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France.

In driving rain on the final day, Graeme McDowell finished tied in fifth, one shot behind them on level par.

The weather, if not on my side, helped stop other players making a charge at my lead Damien McGrane

With the rest of the players seeing their scorecards littered with bogeys, McGrane kept his cool to produce an impressive round which included two birdies and three bogeys.

The 37-year-old Irishman's victory had looked certain as soon as he reached the turn with a four-stroke lead.

"Anyone with any sense wouldn't have gone out in that," said McGrane, who took home the winner's cheque of £183,500.

"It was one of those days where everyone had to knuckle down and do they best they can.

"The weather, if not on my side, helped stop other players making a charge at my lead.

"Once I made as many pars as possible, the tournament was mine."

Playing partner Wilson from Mansfield endured a torrid day on the wet course and carded nine bogeys in a round of 79.

Griffiths had a 74 and Lorenzo-Vera a 79.

New Zealander Mark Brown carded a costly triple bogey on the 18th to throw away a potential second place finish and returned to the clubhouse tied for third.