Cevaer holds on to take European Open
Sunday, 31 May 2009 18:42France's Christian Cevaer, a lowly 449th in the world, was the shock winner of the European Open at the London Club in Kent.
After an amazing weekend which saw no fewer than 45 changes of the lead the 39-year-old, whose only previous European Tour victory was the 2004 Spanish Open, beat England's Steve Webster, Scot Gary Orr and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros by a shot.
Joint overnight leader with Indian Jeev Milkha Singh, Cevaer struggled to the turn in a three-over 39, but then reeled off five pars in a row, two-putted the long 15th for birdie and parred the demanding final three.
The cheque for £300,000 was £116,000 more than his previous biggest on the circuit.
He finished with a two-over 74 for a seven-under total of 281, 13 more than Ross Fisher took in winning by seven last year.
Rory McIlroy had a disappointing day, shooting 75 to finish on three-under-par in 12th position.
Peter Lawrie closed with a 72 to finish one-over, Graeme McDowell (74) finished on three-over, with Paul McGinley (73) a shot further back on four-over.
