Strong finish earns win for Ilonen
Finland’s Mikko Ilonen today claimed his second European Tour victory of the year in the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm.
Ilonen, who won the Indonesia Open in February, birdied the par-three 18th hole at Arlandastad to join Martin Kaymer on six under par as the young German looked on from the tee.
Kaymer then missed the green with his approach and failed to save par, his weak chip failing to climb the steep slope up to the green and rolling halfway back down.
The resulting double bogey five dropped him back into a share of second place with French pair Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Christian Cevaer, local favourite Peter Hedblom and England’s Nick Dougherty.
Ilonen, who collects a first prize of £180,000, looked to have blown his chances when he double bogeyed the par-three 16th after finding water with his tee shot.
But the former British amateur champion shrugged off missing a short birdie putt on the next to hole from five feet on the 18th for a closing 68 and it was Kaymer who eventually cracked under the pressure.
David Higgins led the Irish challenge, finishing in tenth place on -2. Peter Lawrie was one shot further back. Damien McGrane finished on +4, while Gary Murphy clocked a +6 finish.
