Golding ends victory drought

Philip Golding bridged a six-year gap Sunday when he carded a closing 66 to win the Open des Volcans.

It was back in 1993 that the Hertfordshire-based 36-year-old last won on the Challenge Tour but his final tally of 18-under-par 270 was two shots better than Stephen Scahill of New Zealand.

Golding finished four clear of Peter Hedblom of Sweden and Frenchman Marc Pendaries.

Golding, who once tried his hand at male modelling, was the model of consistency as he kept a bogey off his card and ran in six birdies in his 66.

"It's great to win again," he said. "My game was fine all week but the putting was the key. So was the birdie-two I made at 17, which was when I knew I had won."

The top prize of £8,121 lifts Golding into the top 12 on the Challenge Tour rankings. Scahill, who had seven birdies in his 66, must be wondering when it will be his turn to win.

This is the second time this year he has finished runner-up following a similar performance in the Luxembourg Open in May.

David Lynn, from Staffordshire, returned a 67 for a share of fifth place, but Welshman Andrew Barnett, one behind leader Golding overnight, carded a 72 to slip back to equal ninth spot.

Wire