Noren takes European Masters title

Sweden's Alex Noren sank a bunker shot for an eagle at the 15th and held off Welshman Bradley Dredge to win the Omega European Masters in Switzerland on Sunday.

The 27-year-old, only 130th in the world, produced a closing 66 to take his first European Tour title by two - with a 20-under-par aggregate.

England's Ross McGowan was third, and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez fourth - while a closing 64 from Rory McIlroy lifted him from 34th to joint seventh.

McIlroy consolidated his third place on Europe's money-list with a scintillating closing seven-under par 64.

Last year's runner-up in Switzerland hit an eagle and eight birdies to tie for seventh with a total of 12-under 272, but was annoyed not to finish better after being upset by a photographer on the last hole.

‘I was annoyed with myself because I was looking for a birdie on the last after playing so well,’ the 20-year-old told reporters after bogeying the 18th with a wayward drive.

‘But this cameraman was annoying me before I teed off and then he clicked on my way down. Some photographers don't know golf, that's the trouble.’

With Race to Dubai leader Martin Kaymer of Germany injured and not likely to play for at least another two weeks and second-placed Paul Casey of Britain only just recovering from injury, McIlroy could have made a significant move on the pair in next week's Mercedes Masters in Cologne.

However, instead of playing in Germany, McIlroy has opted to play in the non-European Tour event Korean Open next week.

‘I still have the Dunhill Links, Portugal, Matchplay, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai, so there will be plenty of chances for me,’ he said.