Mednick claims first tour success

SWEDEN’S Adam Mednick yesterday won his first European Tour title in the North West of Ireland Open at Ballyliffin.

Mednick carded a final-round 68 for a seven-under total of 281 and five-shot victory over former Ryder Cup players Costantino Rocca and Andrew Coltart.

Rocca, who won the inaugural event in Galway in 1999, was set for second on his own before a bogey following an errant drive on the last, after which he swung his driver in anger and caught playing partner Jean-Francois Lucquin a painful blow on the foot.

Thankfully it did the young Frenchman no harm and he parred the 18th to finish one under and in a tie for fourth with veteran Swede Anders Forsbrand.

Mednick, who feared his career could be over after suffering a back injury in 1995, was among 29 players who had to finish their third rounds this morning, completing his last five holes for a 69.

The 35-year-old then picked up two birdies in his first four holes to move into an outright lead he would never relinquish, and finished in style with birdies at the 17th and 18th to claim the £37,000 first prize and, possibly more valuable, a one-year tour exemption.

‘‘This means the world to me,’’ said Mednick whose great-grandparents emigrated from Russia to America where immigration officials did not like the family name of Mednikov so changed it to Mednick.

‘‘I’ve not been getting many starts this year but now I can plan my season and next year as well. I’ve been playing well all year long and it’s been building up. I told a friend last week to put some money on me and I hope he did and got good odds.’’

Mednick, who has won five times on the Challenge Tour, had to make a ninth visit to the qualifying school last year and finished 31st to regain his playing privileges for this season.

‘‘I’ve been out here for a long time and been through a lot of ups and downs and it’s great to be here where I am now,’’ added Mednick whose highest finish on the order of merit was 163rd in his rookie season a decade ago.

‘‘It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but it’s been a struggle for me.

Coltart closed with a 67 that was just one shot outside the course record he set in the second round, and was well satisfied with his week’s work.

‘‘I was just looking for a little bit of confidence and I have picked up a bit,’’ said Coltart, who was grateful for the chance to play and try and find some form this week after missing out on a fifth straight appearance in the USPGA championship after his world ranking fell from 83rd to 185th.