Long bombs clinch Carlsson win

Brian Keogh in Glasson

Inspired by a pair of long-range birdie putts, Sweden's Magnus A Carlsson took a giant step towards earning his European Tour card with a thrilling one-stroke win in the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club near Athlone

Trailing Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera by two strokes with six holes to play, the 26-year-old from Vasteras rolled in an outrageous 45-footer at the 13th and an 18-footer at the next as he closed with a two-under par 70 to win by a shot on 10-under par.

Course record holder Lorenzo-Vera had birdied the 10th, 11th and 12th to go two in front but a couple of mistakes on the 13th and 17th greens cost him vital shots and while he closed with a 69 he had the consolation of moving to the top of the Challenge Tour rankings after sharing second place with fast-finishing Argentine Julio Zapata (67).

The inaugural Challenge of Ireland at Glasson proved to be a massive success after a roller-coaster final round that saw the lead change hands three times before Carlsson secured his maiden victory and a cheque for €24,000.

With his father on the bag and two clear playing the 18th, Carlsson could afford to three-putt the final green from 35 feet after Lorenzo-Vera’s 18-foot birdie chance from the fringe had missed by inches.

"It feels very good to win,” said Carlsson, who is now odds on to win one of 20 European Tour cards through the Challenge Tour rankings after moving up to sixth place. “I don't think it has sunk in yet. Maybe when I get to the airport it will hit me.

"It was a great event with a lovely golf course, a great hotel with lovely rooms and great food. Everything was superb. I haven't had a Guinness yet but I might have one now."

Connemara's David Mortimer shrugged off the effects of a knee injury to lead the Irish challenge in a share of 13th place on two-under par thanks to a closing 69.

Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin was a shot further back after a 73 with Birr's Justin Kehoe rallying well to share 18th place on level par after a fine 71.

The event looks certain to return to Glasson next year and while the hotel’s touring professional Colm Moriarty hopes to be playing on the main European Tour by then, he reported that the players were thrilled by the facilities.

Tied for 25th on three over after a closing 73, Moriarty said: "All the guys I have talked to were delighted with the venue and the course set-up. It would be fantastic to come back next year because there has been a great atmosphere right from the pro-am on Wednesday through to the final round.”

Challenge of Ireland presented by Glasson, the Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club, 7,159 yards par 72
Final
278 MA Carlsson (Swe) 69 70 69 70 (€24,000);
279 J Zapata (Arg) 69 73 70 67; M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 63 73 74 69 (€13,500);
283 P Kaensche (Nor) 70 73 68 72 (€9,000);
284 F Widmark (Swe) 67 72 73 72; S Scahill (Nzl) 69 77 71 67; L Westerberg (Swe) 71 69 71 73;
285 L Bond (Wal 73 66 72 74; T Dykes (Wal 68 74 72 71; M Persson (Swe) 71 72 70 72; M Cort (Eng) 70 73 69 73; A Velasco (Esp) 69 72 70 74;
286 S Manley (Wal 70 71 75 70; D Mortimer (Irl) 72 71 74 69;
287 G Maybin (Irl) 69 73 72 73; O Whiteley (Eng) 72 75 68 72; O Bergman (Swe) 71 73 71 72;
288 M Lundberg (Swe) 70 72 73 73; S Davis (Eng) 67 77 71 73; J Kehoe (Irl) 69 73 75 71;
289 J Abbate (Arg) 71 76 70 72; R O'Hanlon (Eng) 71 75 71 72; 289 P Baker (Eng) 72 73 71 73; M Wiegele (Aut) 70 75 73 71;
291 R Kakko (Fin) 71 75 69 76; A Butterfield (Eng) 74 69 74 74; A McArthur (Sco) 64 78 75 74; C Moriarty (Irl) 72 74 72 73;
292 M Murphy (Irl) 67 78 73 74; G Murray (Sco) 71 74 73 74; S Henderson (Sco) 72 72 75 73; C Smith (Wal 72 75 71 74; T Nielsen (Den) 72 75 71 74;
293 F Aguilar (Chi) 71 76 74 72; A Mellor (Eng) 74 69 75 75;
294 F Valera (Esp) 71 71 79 73; G Acosta (Arg) 73 74 69 78;
295 J Mellor (Eng) 70 73 74 78; J Little (Eng) 70 74 74 77;
296 M Campbell (Irl) 73 74 73 76;
297 F Zanotti (Par) 72 75 74 76; K Staunton (Eng) 71 76 75 75; W Bladon (Eng) 68 79 72 78
298 M Dieu (Fra) 71 75 76 76; G Paddison (Nzl) 71 72 76 79; I Van Weerelt (Ned) 69 76 78 75;
299 C Brazillier (Fra) 70 77 73 79; G Cullen (Irl) 70 76 74 79;
301 JE Morgan (Eng) 69 77 75 80; D De Vooght (Bel) 67 78 77 79; A Maestroni (Ita) 70 75 74 82;
302 R Eyraud (Fra) 76 71 73 82; P Nilbrink (Nor) 71 76 74 81; E Ramsay (Sco) 74 72 77 79;
303 M Richardson (Eng) 70 75 76 82;
304 L Walker (Irl) 72 75 76 81; G Clark (Eng) 73 71 79 81;
305 M Hoey (Nir) 74 73 73 85 ; J Doherty (Sco) 73 72 78 82; R McGowan (Eng) 75 72 77 81;
310 D Dixon (Eng) 74 73 77 86