A nerveless Alex Noren continued his fine year by winning the European Masters yesterday after pipping overnight leader Scott Hend to the title with a lengthy birdie putt in the first playoff hole.
Swede Noren, who had previously won the European Masters in 2009, started the final day one shot behind Hend, but overtook the Australian after a strong front nine, hitting four consecutive birdies.
They ended the regulation holes level on 17 under, and while Hend shot par in the first extra hole, Noren took the title with a superb 20-metre birdie putt for his second win of the season following his Scottish Open triumph in July.
“It’s unbelievable,” Noren told Sky Sports.
“I didn’t really believe this coming into today, (I had a) tough couple of guys hunting me down.
“It’s tough to be in the front.”
England’s Andrew Johnston returned to contention during a fine day’s Golf to finish in third on 14 under, while Lee Westwood ended in fourth on 12 under, just ahead of his Ryder Cup team mate Matthew Fitzpatrick on 10 under.
“I think Alex played the 18th hole way better than I did and made an awesome birdie for a deserving win,” said Hend.
“It feels amazing to be among Seve Ballesteros and Thomas Bjorn to win two Omega European Masters titles,” said Noren.
 “I’ve seen the boards showing who won multiple Omega European Masters titles walking to the course so it is great.
“I’ve worked hard this season. I tried to play more golf and I feel steadier with my driver. My driver hasn’t been my good side but now it is steadier. It is great to have my family here, my baby and my parents here for the first time.
“I’ve never won coming from behind or won in a play-off on the European Tour so that makes it more amazing.”
Among the other members of Europe’s Ryder Cup contingent, defending champion and early leader Danny Willett finished 12th on nine under, having been 10 shots off the pace overnight, with Chris Wood in 49th on two under.
England’s Andy Sullivan had missed the cut.

Leading final round scores
263-Alex Noren (SWE) 69-63-66-65, Scott Hend (AUS) 65-67-65-66
Noren won at first play-off hole
266-Andrew Johnston 65-68-68-65
268-Lee Westwood 72-66-67-63
269-Richard Bland 67-64-69-69, Julien Quesne (FRA) 65-68-71-65
270-Romain Langasque (FRA) 68-63-70-69, Florian Fritsch (GER) 67-69-66-68, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 71-68-66-65, Renato Paratore (ITA) 75-63-67-65, Matthew Fitzpatrick 75-65-66-64
271-David Drysdale 70-68-64-69, Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 64-73-67-67, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 66-67-68-70, Danny Willett 65-72-70-64, Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 69-69-67-66, Oliver Fisher 70-69-69-63
272-Haotong Li (CHN) 65-70-68-69, Joachim B. Hansen (DEN) 65-68-70-69, Anthony Wall 66-73-65-68, George Coetzee (RSA) 70-69-67-66, James Morrison 65-70-68-69, Alexander Levy (FRA) 68-67-68-69.