Brilliant Ben wins in Sardinia

Golf star Ben Evans clinched his maiden professional title on the Italian island of Sardinia today (Friday).
Ben Evans clinched his maiden professional title on the Italian island of SardiniaBen Evans clinched his maiden professional title on the Italian island of Sardinia
Ben Evans clinched his maiden professional title on the Italian island of Sardinia

The Staplecross-based professional won the 2013 Sardegna IS Molas Open by two shots with a seventeen-under-par total of 199 for the three rounds at Circolo Golf Is Molas.

Evans went into the final round holding a one-shot lead over fellow English golfer Jason Palmer and Spanish player Jaime Camargo after following up an opening 65 on Wednesday with a 66 yesterday.

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That advantage was wiped out, however, as Camargo birdied the par five first hole - which Evans eagled in both the first two rounds. Evans then bogeyed the par four second to fall one behind.

The 26-year-old seized control, though, with birdies on the third, fourth, eighth and ninth to cover the outward nine in 32 for the third day running. By contrast, Palmer and Camargo both went out in 36, putting Evans five shots clear.

That cushion was cut to two as Evans double bogeyed the par three 10th and Palmer birdied it, but an Evans eagle at the par five 12th left him four ahead. Evans made another birdie on the 15th to effectively seal his win despite Palmer birdieing three of the last five.

The win lifts Evans up to third on the season-long order of merit going into the final event next week and with a great chance of finishing in the all-important top five for promotion back to the European Challenge Tour.

Sardegna IS Molad Open leaderboard

1st Ben Evans (Eng) 65+66+68=199

2nd Jason Palmer (Eng) 66+66+69=201

3rd Jaime Camarago (Esp) 65+67+71=203

=4th Rhys Enoch (Wal) 70+72+64=206

=4th Lukas Nemecz (Aut) 70+69+67=206

=4th Andrea Bolognesi (Ita) 66+70+70=206

Alps Tour order of merit

1st Jason Palmer (Eng) 35,852.80pts

2nd Steven Brown (Eng) 20,000.30

3rd Ben Evans (Eng) 18,841.30

4th Jesus Legarrea (Esp) 17,866.98

5th Lukas Nemecz (Aut) 17,175.95