Dodd delighted at K Club win

Welshman Stephen Dodd, six days away from his 40th birthday, had the biggest solo win of his career at the K Club today.

And by capturing the Smurfit Kappa European Open Dodd, who shared World Cup glory with Bradley Dredge last November, has now given himself a chance to return to the venue for September’s Ryder Cup.

Only 47th in the points race coming into the week Dodd, last year’s Irish Open champion, defied strong winds to return a closing two under par 70 and on nine under won by two from overnight leader Jose Manuel Lara.

The Spaniard still led with five to play, but as he bogeyed the 13th and 14th Dodd birdied the 16th and 17th.

A solid par at the last earned him the €577,900 first prize once Lara, having birdied the same two holes, failed to eagle the 578-yard 18th.

IRISH PLAYERS: McGinley -6. Clarke -3. Harrington -1. McDowell +1. McGrane +2. Browne +3. Higgins +8. Thornton +15.