Finland’s Mikko Ilonen produced a steady final round to complete his first European Tour victory in six years at the Nordea Masters in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday.
Ilonen, who last won at the event in 2007, carded a three-under-par 69 to finish with a 21-under total at the Bro Hoff Slott Golf Club.
Jonas Blixt was the best of the Swedish contingent in second after a 72 on the final day left him on 18-under.
Photo: AFP
Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger finished third a shot further back, while Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn ended in a four-way tie for fourth at 16-under with Swedes Alexander Noren and Rikard Karlberg and Italian Matteo Manassero.
Ilonen’s victory was set up on Friday with a stunning second-round nine-under-par 63. He followed it up with a 65 to put him in the driving seat.
A bogey on the 12th hole was Ilonen’s only blemish on the final day, but birdies either side of the blip before five straight pars ensured there would be no meltdown.
In stark contrast to Ilonen’s consistent performance, Blixt entertained the crowds with a topsy-turvy back nine.
He made four birdies, but gave all the shots back with two bogeys and a double-bogey to stop him from making a run at the title.
Fellow Swede Noren looked like the player most likely to haul in Ilonen and his chances were bolstered as he birdied the same 12th hole where the Finn had struggled.
However, when Noren found the water on the 15th to register a double-bogey seven, his challenge faded away, leaving Ilonen to take home the trophy.
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