Noren 77 Wins Nordea Masters

Sweden's Alexander Noren cruised to his third European Tour title on Sunday despite a closing round of 77 in Stockholm.

Noren took a commanding 11-shot lead into the final day of the Nordea Masters at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club after a course-record 63 on Saturday.

The 29-year-old was never in serious danger of letting such a commanding advantage slip, with no-one able to mount a charge as strong winds sent scores soaring.

Noren at least finished in style with a birdie on the last for a 15-under-par total of 273, finishing seven shots clear of England's Richard Finch.

Finch had set the clubhouse target on eight-under-par after a superb 69, the lowest round of the day which made him the only man to break par, despite running up a triple-bogey six on the par-three 17th.

Sweden's Niklas Lemke, playing on a sponsor's invitation, finished third on five-under, with Australia's Scott Hend and Spain's Pablo Martin a shot further back.

American Bubba Watson had been second overnight but closed with a 78 to drop back into a share of sixth place alongside compatriot Dustin Johnson, who finished with a 74.

Noren birdied the opening hole of his final round to move to 21-under-par, but dropped shots at the third, fourth, sixth and ninth to be out in 39.

However, four straight pars then steadied his nerves and meant he could afford to drop further shots at the 14th and 16th before safely negotiating the treacherous 17th - a par-three with an island green.

Noren, who also won the Wales Open at Celtic Manor earlier this season, told Sky Sports afterwards: "I am so relieved.

"The only thing I thought of all day was the 17th. I said it doesn't matter how I play up to that, I just have to survive 17 and I did.

"I've never seen wind like this in Sweden. Every hole was super tough and even downwind it was hard to choose the clubs."

Speaking about winning on home soil, Noren added: "It's even more amazing at home, everyone cheering you on and you don't really feel that somewhere else.

"It's amazing, you see some friendly faces in the crowd and it's unbelievable. I'm very happy."

Maybin Suffers National Setback

Gareth Maybin 

Gareth Maybin's chances of challenging for the French Open title suffered a major setback as he carded a triple-bogey seven at the 18th hole to move back to level par for the tournament.

Maybin posted a 72 which also included four birdies and a double bogey and is 10 behind leader James Morrison.

Michael Hoey is one over after a 71 which saw him six over for his first nine and six under for his second nine.

Darren Clarke missed the cut on four over after a 71.

Clarke registered two birdies and two bogeys in his round but was unable to undo the damage of his opening 75.

James Morrison leads on 10 under following a 66, one ahead of Richard Green, who was joint overnight leader after the first round.

Paul McGinley is level par after consecutive rounds of 71, Peter Lawrie made the cut on two over thanks to a 70 but Shane Lowry exited on five over despite a 69.

Hoey's eventful round saw him post an early birdie, before recording double bogeys at the 13th and 15th and a triple bogey seven at the 18th.

The Belfast player registered six birdies in his second nine holes.