Victory so sweet for Johnston in Kazakhstan

LIAM JOHNSTON fought off a packed leaderboard and emerged victorious at one of the European Challenge Tour’s most lucrative events, the Kazakhstan Open. The Scot said: ‘All week there were several times where I made bogey and then I bounced back with a birdie or two birdies — and this was just one of those weeks. ‘When it’s your week these things happen, but that birdie on the second hole got me settled into the round, especially with the par five coming up, it just confirmed to me that I was playing well and I just need to keep on doing what I’m doing.’ At one point in the final round, six different players co-led the Kazakhstan Open presented by ERG, but Johnston pulled ahead with some impressive shot-making. ‘The turning point was probably eight and nine,’ he said. ‘I birdied eight by driving it on the front of the green and then holed a 15 footer for eagle on nine.’ Despite a late charge from England’s Tom Murray, Johnston won by two strokes and bagged the €72,000 winner’s cheque.

CHRIS WOOD paid the price for a double bogey on the back nine as China’s Wu Ashun won the KLM Open. Wood opened up a threestroke advantage in Holland but he dropped two shots on the 12th and Wu capitalised to claim victory by a single stroke on 16 under par. David Drysdale was top Scot on 12 under in a share of sixth.

GARY ORR became the first home winner of the Scottish Senior Open since 2006 as he triumphed by one stroke at Craigielaw Golf Club. The Helensburgh native held his nerve on the 54th and final hole as he matched Paul Streeter’s birdie to finish on four under, one-stroke ahead of the Englishman.