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Karlsson gains 4th European title

Robert Karlsson posted a two-under 70 on Sunday to capture the Spanish Open by two shots over Jean-Francois Remesy. Karlsson's tournament total of 11-under 277 earned the Swede his fourth title on the European Tour.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Soren Hansen shared third at eight-under while Gustavo Rojas, Peter Mitchell and Joakim Haeggman were a shot further at minus-seven.

Karlsson shared the overnight lead with Darren Clarke but the Swede got off to the good start with a birdie at the first. He added another at the fifth and then drained a 12-foot par save at six to remain at 11-under.

He parred the next nine holes before getting into red figures again with a birdie at the 15th, a hole he birdied the last three days. Karlsson bogeyed the 17th but it did not matter as the tournament was decided at that point.

"It feels fantastic to get the payback from all the hard work I've put in," said Karlsson, who last won the Belgacom Open in 1999. "I managed to keep out of the ice plants and bushes this week, which was important. I am very happy to win again."

The victory jumped Karlsson from 21st to eighth in the European Ryder Cup standings.

Clarke was in the hunt until he reached the 15th. His second shot went into the bushes and it took Clarke three shots to get out of the shrubs. The Irishman's approach came up short of the green and then he chipped through the back of the green. Clarke chipped to five feet and two-putted. He took a 10 on the hole and fell into a tie for 32nd.

Remesy fired a six-under 66 on Sunday to grab second place. He carded two birdies in his final four holes to finish the tournament at nine-under.

His finish marked the first top-10 of the season for Remesy.

Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin finished alone in sixth at six-under 282.

Spain's Sergio Garcia eagled the par-five fifth but mixed four bogeys and three birdies the rest of the way. He shot a one-under 71 and tied for 16th at minus-four.

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