Ferrie cashes in on Bjorn collapse to win at K Club

England’s Kenneth Ferrie, ranked 326th in the world, pulled off an amazing victory in the Smurfit European Open at the K Club near Dublin today.

The 26-year-old from Northumberland, who has recently gone on a crash diet and come down from 20 stones to 16, was seven behind at the start of the day.

But Dane Thomas Bjorn, four clear of the field, went from being one of the best rounds of his life to one of his worst – running up six bogeys and a double bogey before hitting three balls into the River Liffey on the 424-yard 17th for an incredible 11.

He had stood on that tee joint leader not only with Ferrie, but also Scot Andrew Coltart. As Bjorn’s first drive went in Ferrie two-putted the par five last for a birdie and Coltart amazingly four-putted from only 12 feet at the 17th for a triple bogey seven.

Ferrie took the €567,000 first prize – his second European tour title – with a closing 70 for a three under par total of 285.

Colin Montgomerie stormed up the leaderboard today to finish in joint second (with England's Graeme Storm) on -1. Ireland Darren Clarke was in the chasing pack, tied in fourth on par. Damien McGrane finished six on one over.