Donald clinches title with closing 66

Britain's Luke Donald repaid Bernhard Langer's faith in him by winning the European Masters on Sunday, the week after the European Ryder Cup captain handed him a wild-card.

Donald repeated the feat of U.S. wild-card Stewart Cink by winning first time out after being given a captain's pick, as the 26-year-old Englishman claimed his second European Tour title in five weeks.

A closing five-under-par 66 for 19-under-par 265 left Donald five strokes in front of Miguel Angel Jimenez and six shots ahead of another Spaniard Sergio Garcia, veteran Argentine Eduardo Romero and Briton Robert Coles.

It gave Europe's three Ryder Cup players in Switzerland a 1-2-3.

The trio had been out in front all week, providing more cheer for Langer, with the match against the U.S. at Oakland Hills only 12 days away.

Jimenez and Garcia had swapped places on top of the leaderboard over the first three rounds but Donald, a stroke behind leader Jimenez overnight, showed his determination to outdo the Spaniards with an eagle at the first.

Garcia, also a stroke adrift of Jimenez overnight, caught Donald after the fifth.

But a double-bogey on the long 14th, when he hit his second shot out of bounds, took Garcia out of contention, and with Jimenez stalling, Donald stepped in for the $320,000 first prize.

It was the U.S. Tour-based Briton's second victory in only his 14th professional European Tour event, as he followed up his Scandinavian Masters success.

He has played most of his golf in America since switching from the amateur ranks in 2001.

Since Langer persuaded Donald in July to fulfil his mandatory 11 European events the British youngster has not looked back, picking up over $850,000 in prize money from just six European money-list events.

With a formidable matchplay record in the Walker Cup of seven wins out of eight, Donald looks primed for his Ryder Cup debut.

"I knew I had the ability to win two tournaments but having the ability and doing it are two different things," he said.

"I would think I have justified my pick (by Bernhard). It was great all three of us in the Ryder Cup playing the way we did and I think this is a strong message to send to the U.S. guys. It's great for European morale."

Jimenez, leader of the first and third rounds, had to accept second-best this time after completing his fourth win of the year last week. He is still targeting six wins in this campaign and moves up a place to third on Europe's money-list.

"I didn't play as good as the first two days but this is still a good boost for the Ryder Cup," said Jimenez.

Garcia, having played most of his season in America, had his best European finish of the year and then praised Donald.

"You have to give all the credit in the world to Luke and even if he'd not won he deserves to be on the (Ryuder Cup) team. It was always a good choice."

Romero, 50, proved he does not yet need to play seniors golf as the double-winner at Crans-sur-Sierre again excelled.

Defending champion Ernie Els was unhappy as he closed with a double-bogey to finish eight strokes adrift of Donald.

"It wasn't a nice day, all rush then wait," said the South African world number three. "I didn't find any rhythm."

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