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PULA, Mallorca, - French golfer Gregory Bourdy became the European Tour's 18th first-time winner this season when he clinched the Mallorca Classic title today.
Bourdy's closing three-under-par 67 for a tournament total of 12-under 268 left him two shots clear of Britain's Sam Little, whose 67 made doubly sure he kept his European Tour playing card.
In making his debut into the main tour winner's enclosure, Bourdy helped to create a European record. The 18 first-time wins beats by one the previous best return of 2003.
The 25-year-old Bordeaux professional began the final round sharing the lead with Robert-Jan Derksen, of the Netherlands, but his steadier play, along with important saves over the opening holes, saw him break clear.
After Derksen had drawn level with him briefly, Bourdy took charge with three birdies in five holes from the fifth, rode his luck at the 16th, where his ball just crept over the hazard boundary, and held off a determined Little to pick up the first prize of US$475,000 ($632,660).
"This is fantastic to get my first win," said Bourdy, soaked in champagne poured over him by fellow French players on the 18th green.
"I got lucky on the opening holes, they were three big pars. After that my game was much better."
Bourdy's choice of an iron off the tee at 16 left him in the rough with two stretches of water to cross and he watched in dismay at first, thinking his ball had found the latter hazard, but it just skipped over.
Little had begun the week facing a trip to tour school but his considerable effort hauled him from 136th place on the European moneylist to safety.
A tearful Little said: "It was my great escape. But playing like I have this week, showed me I was good enough not to have to struggle like I have."
- REUTERS
