England’s Lee Slattery claimed his first European Tour title in four years by just one shot at the Russian Open on Sunday.
Slattery, 37, carded a two-under-par 69 in his fourth round at Skolkovo Golf Club to finish on 15-under and secure a first victory since the Madrid Masters in 2011.
Argentine Estanislao Goya finished second on 14-under, with last year’s champion David Horsey of England a stroke back on 13-under.
After fog had delayed the start of play by two hours, Slattery got his round off to the perfect start carrying a two-shot overnight advantage over playing partner Goya and Scotland’s Craig Lee.
However, despite an opening birdie, by the sixth hole he trailed his Argentinian rival by one and that deficit had doubled by the 12th.
Bogeys by Goya at 13 and 15 — either side of a birdie for Slattery — edged the English player ahead again.
A chip-in at the 17th gave him a two-shot cushion heading down the last as Goya birdied, but Slattery’s 69 was enough to secure his second European Tour win.
“It has been a difficult year so it is just nice to be able to finish the year off like this, with a win, knowing that I can plan next year now and hopefully get myself going again to where I belong,” Slattery said.
Goya’s 68 kept him just ahead of Horsey, who also shot 68 to finish one ahead of a group on 12-under, which included 2013 champion Michael Hoey after his 64.
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