Olesen launches charge but Rock ultimately proves solid

Englishman Rock carded a final round 67 in Turin to finish on 21 under, one shot ahead of Olesen, who had earlier set a challenging clubhouse lead after a wonderful 62, and Gary Boyd.

Scot Peter Whiteford was fourth, two shots behind Rock.

“I have been waiting a long time to be even in with a chance of doing this,” Rock said.

“I played good so I am very happy. It’s a fantastic feeling, it’s one of my favourite courses now. Since they changed the venue I have done well here.

“I was expecting to do well this week but not really expecting this.”

Rock started shakily yesterday, bogeying the third before four successive birdies from the fifth put him back in charge.

He picked up more shots at the 10th, 11th and 13th, with the only blemish coming at the 12th.

He held his nerve impressively over the closing holes, apart from at the 17th when a wayward tee shot left him in the trees.

But he cracked an iron on to the fairway, with the ball missing a tree by a matter of inches, before pitching to 12 feet and holing his par putt.

Olesen had nine birdies and an eagle in a fantastic round which threatened to derail Rock, who had led the event from the outset.

“It was amazing to start with two birdies and then hole my second shot for an eagle at the third,” he said.

“I think it’s the first time I’ve holed a full shot in a tournament so it felt magic.”

Englishman Boyd capped an impressive few days with a closing 66. He had eight birdies and two bogeys over the Royal Park I Roveri course to finish just ahead of Whiteford.

Wales’ Becky Brewerton fended off the challenge of Spanish rookie Carlota Ciganda to win the Tenerife Ladies Match Play title at Golf Las Américas.

Brewerton, 28, beat Australian Kristie Smith and England’s Laura Davies in the matchplay stages of the tournament on Friday and Saturday, and shot 68 in the strokeplay final to secure the top prize, worth £35,300.

That round bettered by one shot the scores posted by 21-year-old Pamplona newcomer Ciganda, who was making her professional debut, and 27-year-old Australian Nikki Garrett.

Doncaster’s Rebecca Hudson finished fourth after a round of 70.

Brewerton had to wait after her completing her round to see whether Ciganda or Garrett could birdie the par-five last to force a tie, but Ciganda found water and Garrett missed a 15-foot putt. Their pars gave the title to Brewerton, who added to her 2007 English Open and 2009 Spanish Open wins.

After three second-placed finishes in Tenerife earlier in her career, she was thrilled to go one better.

“It’s nice to finally get a win and obviously it’s been a while since I’ve won, so it’s a brilliant feeling,” said Brewerton.