Strange savours 'special' victory

(GETTY IMAGES)

Scott Strange shot a final-round four-under-par 68 to win the China Open in Beijing by a single stroke yesterday. The 32-year-old Australian overcame the damp conditions to finish eight under for the tournament, claiming his second European Tour title ahead of Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who shot 72.

"This one is pretty good... just as good as Wales," said Strange, the winner of the 2008 Celtic Manor Wales Open. "I feel great to win this. This win is just special because it proves that I could win again."

Overnight leader Richard Finch of Britain, who carded three bogeys in a 74 final round, shared third place with Ashley Hall of Australia and Mark Brown of New Zealand, all two strokes off the pace. Strange wins a place in the 16-man field for the World Match Play Championship in Spain later this year. Scotland's Colin Montgomerie carded a double-bogey at the 16th in his round of 73.