LONDON: England’s David Lynn came back from six shots off the pace to win his first European Tour event in nearly a decade at the Portugal Masters on Sunday.

Lynn, who was runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the 2012 PGA Championship, made nine birdies and a bogey to record an eight-under par 63 and claim his first victory since the 2004 Dutch Open with an 18 under par total of 266.

The 39-year-old started the fourth round in 16th place before setting himself up for a strong finish with five birdies on the front nine.

South Africa’s Justin Walters was one shot behind Lynn in second spot at the Oceanico Victoria course in Vilamoura, while Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger and overnight leader Paul Waring of England finished two behind the leader.

Scotland’s Scott Jamieson failed to back up his stunning third-round of 60, suffering three bogies on the back nine for a one-over par 72 to fade to a tie for 13th.


Kang strolls to Asian Tour victory

South Korean Kang Sung-hoon enjoyed a Sunday stroll when he eased to a five-shot victory at the Asian Tour’s CJ Invitational in Yeoju, hosted by his compatriot KJ Choi.

Kang’s two-under-par round of 70 gave him a 12-under total for the $750,000 tournament and he was able to enjoy the last nine holes comfortably ahead of India’s Jyoti Randhawa (67) and compatriot Kim Tae-hoon, who finished a distant joint second.

“I felt very comfortable after nine holes. I was looking at the scores and I saw that I had a big lead so I was able to play it safe and try to give myself chances,” Kang told the Asian Tour.


Schwartzel wins Nanshan China Open

Former US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel came from behind to win the Nanshan China Open by one shot on Sunday after a costly late slip by Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke.

Clarke and China’s Liang Wenchong started the final round of the $1 million OneAsia Tour event three clear of Schwartzel but the South African shot a brilliant final four-under-par 68 for a nine-under total to pip the pair.

It was a first title of the year for Schwartzel, who has now won on the US PGA, European, Sunshine, Asian and OneAsia circuits.

“I never thought I was out of it, for any second. It’s a matter of staying in there, hitting good golf shots and controlling your own destiny,” the 2011 US Masters champion told the OneAsia Tour.

Clarke was level with Schwartzel at nine-under standing on the 17th tee but the 2011 British Open champion struck a wayward tee-shot and bogeyed the par three hole.

Koepka a round away from a PGA Tour card

In San Martin, California Brooks Koepka kept up his end of the bargain and stayed in the lead at the Frys.com Open on a day of low scoring

In his first regular PGA Tour event, Koepka had a 4-under 67 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead over George McNeill and Jason Kokrak into the final round at CordeValle. A win would mean more than just a trip to the Masters. Koepka would earn a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

The 23-year-old from Florida started the year with no status anywhere and since has earned membership on the Challenge Tour and European Tour.

McNeill had a 62 and will play in the final group. He has won twice on the PGA Tour, both times opposite-field events. McNeill has never been to the Masters.