Leading by one at the start of the day, Jaquelin tightened his grip on the title after three birdies on the front nine saw the Frenchman move to 14-under par, four strokes ahead of Kjeldsen.

But as the forecasted rain started to fall on the back nine and scoring proved a challenge, bogeys at the 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th saw the Frenchman eventually triumph but by a much smaller margin than had looked likely at one stage.

A double bogey at the last cost Yates sole possession of second place.

The Scot, who had shot a 64 yesterday to haul himself into contention, had gone out in 37 but a birdie at the 14th had seen him return to level for the day before the 37-year-old missed a short putt on the 18th green to eventually finish seven under par after recording a final round 74.

Colin Montgomerie’s bid fell apart on the final day as a bogey at the 10th and double-bogey at the 12th saw the Scot plummet down the leaderboard after he reached the turn in 38 and he eventually finished on three under par after a disappointing round of 77.

Ernie Els suffered trouble on the greens as the South African failed to produce a final day charge up the field, eventually completing a round of 72 to remain six under.

Graeme McDowell picked up early birdies at the second, seventh and ninth holes to go out in 33, but dropped shots at the 12th and the last saw the Northern Irishman pegged back to five under par after carding a 71.

Simon Dyson also suffered a poor finish to his final 18 holes as consecutive bogeys at the last two holes saw the 29-year-old finish the tournament at four under par after a closing round of 74.