Sunday 18 October 2015 19:48, UK
Andy Sullivan enjoyed a relatively stress-free day en route to securing a nine-shot victory at the Portugal Masters and claim his third European Tour title of 2015.
The 28-year-old from Nuneaton teed off on Sunday five strokes clear of the field and extended the margin to seven with a brace of birdies inside the opening six holes.
And with none of his nearest rivals good enough to mount a sustained challenge, Sullivan was able to chart his way around the Oceanico Victoria layout with ease.
A third birdie arrived at the 13th where he fired a 100-yard wedge shot to within three feet of the flag, with a fourth coming at the par-five 17th which stretched his lead to eight.
There was another at the final hole where he sank a 12 foot birdie putt in front of his parents who had flown over to Portugal to witness his virtually flawless display
His closing round of 66 was completed without a single bogey on his card, as he proved to be far too solid for his more inconsistent rivals thanks largely to some impeccable driving.
One of his few irritations was a three-putt par at the 610-yard 12th, otherwise it was plain sailing for the world No 66 who dropped only three shots in the tournament as he finished comfortably clear of Chris Wood.
A delighted champion told Sky Sports 4: "I slept really well last night, but I was a bit apprehensive to start, a bit edgy. I think that putt on the fourth really settled me down and from then onwards I just felt really comfortable all the way round.
"I did not take that many risks until the end, played within myself and thought I'd let them try to catch me, I'm not going to make any mistakes and I did that today. To be bogey-free is unbelievable and just what I wanted to do."
Asked about winning on European soil after his previous victories both came in Johannesburg, Sullivan added: "It's massive. It's been a big goal of mine.
"Those two wins in South Africa were unbelievable but to show your peers you can do it in Europe as well is great. To do it in front of so many people from my golf club and with my mum and dad here, it's been incredible."
Heavy overnight rain and thunderstorms meant play was delayed until 10am when organisers opted to operate a shot-gun start.
Elsewhere, two-time BMW PGA Championship winner Anders Hansen called time on his European Tour career by posting a two-under-par 69 which squeezed him into the top 25.
