Rumford on a home high

Australia’s Brett Rumford regained his European Tour card in brilliant fashion with victory in the inaugural ISPS Handa World Super 6 in his home city of Perth.

Rumford defeated Thai teenager Phachara Khongwatmai 2&1 in the final of the £1.1million event, an innovative mixture of stroke and match play.

The 39-year-old was five shots clear of the field after the 54 holes of stroke play, although that only secured a bye in the first round of yesterday’s match play stage.

Rumford beat Hideto Tanihara, Wade Ormsby and Adam Bland to book his place in the final before seeing off Khongwatmai.

“It’s great to be back,” Rumford said. “I’ve done a lot of reflection these past few months after missing my Tour card last year. It’s amazing to win in front of your home crowd, particularly being a new format.”