Golf: Rocca runs off with first Tour title

CONSTANTINO ROCCA, of Italy, brought off a double triumph when he won the Lyons Open by six shots yesterday after registering a course record of 63 in the final round for a total of 267, 21 under par.

Rocca, the finest golfer his country has produced, won the first prize of pounds 41,660 and the Johnnie Walker award of pounds 10,000 for a record score.

It was Rocca's first victory on the Volvo European Tour and the first by an Italian since Baldovino Dassu triumphed in the Italian Open and the Dunlop Masters in 1976.

Rocca collected nine birdies over the final 18 holes to finish six strokes ahead of Britain's Barry Lane, the Irishman Paul McGinley and the Swedish pair of Joakim Haeggman and Gabriel Hjertsstedt.

Lane, leader in the Ryder Cup points table, came from well back in the field with an eight-under 64.