Paratore wins title

ROME - Italy's Renato Paratore maintained remarkable consistency to win the British Masters by three strokes, retaining his overnight lead and finishing at 18-under overall at Close House in Northumberland on Saturday.

Paratore, 23, closed with a two-under par 69 in windy conditions to clinch his second European Tour title, adding to his Nordea Masters win in Sweden in 2017.

The Italian held a oneshot lead heading into the fourth round and continued his bogey-free run -- which finally came to an end after 62 holes -- to hold off Denmark's 19-year-old Rasmus Hojgaard who finished second.

"This feels amazing, I'm really, really happy. Today was not easy," said Paratore, who became the second Italian to win the event after Baldovino Dassu 44 years ago,” he said.

South Africa's Justin Harding, who was second after Friday's play, dropped to third with three bogeys in his final round to card 72 for 14 under overall -- four strokes behind Paratore.

England's Lee Westwood, who is the tournament's host, had a day to forget on the course, finishing last among those who made the cut as he closed with a 79, which included three bogeys and three double bogeys.

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