Suneson books tour card

Spaniard Carl Suneson completed his third victory of the summer when he easily won the Beazer Homes Challenge Tour Championship at a wet Bowood Golf and Country Club.

The 32-year-old from Las Palmas carded a closing 66 for a 16-under-par total of 272 and an eight-stroke winning margin on a day plagued by rain.

But even a 100-minute stoppage when the persistent downpour flooded the Wiltshire course failed to halt Suneson, who has not only strengthened his position at the top of the rankings but has secured his European Tour card for next year.

"I think I had my card before this week - but this confirms it," he said.

"I'm so glad to win like this. I played well and putted well, while patience and experience was the key today.

"Now I want to go on and win the Order of Merit."

Suneson began the day tied with Maarten Lafeber but left him behind before the stoppage.

When play resumed Suneson surged further ahead while Lafeber discovered the birdies that had come so plentifully earlier in the week had dried up.

He eventually finished with a 74 for 280 - a dropped shot at the last leaving him tied with Benoit Teilleria of France and Welshman Bradley Dredge, whose 69 left him as the top British player.

Justin Rose, who drew as big an audience as the leaders, closed with a 73 for a four-under-par 284 and joint 11th place.

Leading final scores in the Beazer Homes Challenge Tour Championship (Gbr & Irl unless stated)

272 C Suneson (Spa) 68 68 70 66

280 B Dredge 73 68 70 69, B Teilleria (Fra) 66 73 70 71, M Lafeber (Ned) 77 63 66 74

281 N Rorbaek (Den) 75 67 70 69, C Watts 68 71 70 72, L James 71 70 68 72

282 J Skold (Swe) 73 69 71 69

283 F Henge (Swe) 73 71 68 71, P Dwyer 70 73 68 72

284 M McGuire 72 71 70 71, J Rose 72 69 70 73, R Coles 69 73 69 73, R Sailer (Aut) 74 67 72 71, M Pendaries (Fra) 72 69 67 76

Other Gbr & Irl scores:

285 P Curry 73 70 73 69

286 P Lawrie 70 71 72 73

287 A Marshall 73 71 72 71, S Hurd 70 70 74 73, M Welch 74 65 73 75

288 S Hurley 71 71 74 72, M Watson 75 69 72 72<289 G Houston 72 70 74 73

290 P Golding 71 71 70 78

291 A Forsyth 71 72 72 76, M Sheppard 70 73 72 76

292 S Little 70 74 77 71, J Cook 71 73 75 73, S Webster 68 75 75 74

293 N Parkinson 73 70 74 76

294 S Wakefield 71 71 73 79, G Hamerton 72 72 70 80, J Robson 75 69 69 81

295 R Dee 75 68 78 74, I Pyman 72 71 77 75

302 D Downie 72 69 76 85