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ST OMER, France - Carl Suneson ended an 18-year wait for his first European Tour golf title on Monday (NZ time) when the Spaniard won the St Omer Open by three shots.
A closing round of two-under-par 69 for an eight-under 276 total allowed Suneson, 39, to head Australian veteran Peter Fowler, Briton Marcus Higley and Frenchman Francois Calmels for the first prize of US$111,320 ($150,250).
"It's all worthwhile now, it's a challenge just to play this game professionally," Suneson said.
"I've had thyroid and diabetes problems which often held me back, but knowing there's always room for improvement in my game has kept me going."
Second tier Challenge Tour regular Gareth Paddison, of New Zealand, was a picture of consistency to earn a share of 10th place, eight shots behind Suneson.
The left-hander returned rounds of 68 and three successive 72s in a rare European Tour appearance, finishing four strokes ahead of compatriot Steve Alker, who went backwards with a 76 today to finish in a tie for 26th.
Suneson came to St Omer languishing in 188th place on the European Tour moneylist with a 14th visit to a qualifying school in prospect.
He began the final day a stroke ahead of Higley, had doubled that advantage by the turn and increased it coming home. Suneson could even afford a three-putt bogey on the last.
His first full tour success, the tour's 13th maiden win of the season, ensured a one-year exemption for the 2008 season.
Suneson, born in the Canary Islands to an English mother and Swedish father, chose Spain for his professional career which started in 1989.
He can now look forward to a start in next week's lucrative BMW International in Munich and he automatically qualifies for the Champions tournament in China later in the year, for which world number one Tiger Woods has qualified.
Auckland-based Fowler birdied the last for a 70 to share second place with Calmels, 69, and Higley, 71.
- REUTERS
