Zions enjoys maiden success after Denison slips back with closing 73

With the majority of golf’s leading lights trailing in McIlroy’s wake at the US Open, it was the perfect opportunity for one of the sport’s less celebrated men to shine and Australia’s Zions took full advantage, claiming his first European Tour title.

The 32-year-old carded a two-under round of 69 yesterday to win by seven strokes from Yorkshire’s Danny Denison, Peter Gustafsson of Sweden and Scot Craig Lee – the only other men to finish under par for the tournament.

Howley Hall’s Denison was one of a group of three men just three shots off the lead overnight, but he hit a 73 to fall out of contention, while the other two fared even worse, George Coetzee and Federico Colombo carding a 75 and a 76 respectively.

Zions hit a bogey at the par-four fifth but by that time his closest challengers had already dropped out of contention and he went on to card four birdies against one further bogey to win with plenty to spare, claiming a first prize of 100,000 euros.

“It feels like I’m dreaming,” Zions told www.europeantour.com.

“The last four holes I was wondering when I could start thinking about winning, and when would be too soon that it tempted fate. I had a lump in my throat a couple of times.

“This is a huge day, it’s hard to believe. My ball striking was great all week and I hardly missed any greens.

“We’re not out here just to collect the cheque. It was nice to feel those butterflies (before the start of the round) and feel the adrenaline as I was coming down the stretch. That’s why we play.

“If I was one or two ahead I might’ve been more nervous.

“But I tried to treat it like any other round, and on the second I hit a beautiful four iron 220 yards to about 20 feet, so that settled me a lot.

“I knew it would be tough for the other guys to catch me with low scores in these conditions, so I just tried to be sensible.

“I’m supposed to be playing French Open qualifying (today) but there’s no chance I’m going to that now.

“Hopefully I can get back to London to celebrate this win with my wife and two little girls.”

Englishman David Dixon’s hole in one at the 17th helped him to a 68, the best of the day alongside compatriot Chris Lloyd, with both men finishing among a seven-way tie for 17th.

Luna eclipses ailing Davies to win as rain forces shortening of Swiss Open

A BIRDIE on the final hole saw Diana Luna claim victory by one shot at the rain-affected Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open.

The Italian’s successful putt at the 18th was enough to lift her to the top of the leaderboard after a final-round 67, which included five other birdies and just a single bogey on the 14th.

Luna finished the tournament – which was reduced to 54 holes – on 13 under overall, one ahead of last year’s winner Lee-Ann Pace, Kristie Smith of Australia and France’s Sophie Giquel-Bettan.

All three players finished with rounds of 68 with Giquel-Bettan producing the most consistent performance with four birdies and no dropped shots.

South African Pace had a single bogey during her round while Smith mixed seven birdies with three bogeys.

Wales’ Becky Brewerton and Melissa Reid of England shared fifth place two shots further back. Brewerton enjoyed a blemish-free round of 67, but Reid carded a single bogey on the 18th.

It was a busy day for many of the competitors, who had earlier had to complete second rounds held over from Friday after Saturday’s play was washed out.

Among them was England’s Laura Davies, who battled through severe sickness to complete her second round in a six-under-par 66.

That left the 79-time tournament champion tied for the lead with Sweden’s Carin Koch at nine under par heading into final round.

However, illness seemed to get the better of Davies during the afternoon as she eventually dropped back to seven under for the tournament – six shots off the lead – with two bogeys and a double bogey at the 10th marring her final card.

Dehydrated after picking up a bug on Thursday, she stumbled off to see the doctor for an infusion after handing in her scorecard, but he was unable to find a vein in her hand.

Koch had three birdies and as many bogeys in a level-par final round.