Warren wins first tour title

Scotland’s Marc Warren claimed his first European Tour title after a thrilling finish to the EnterCard Scandinavian Masters.

Warren birdied three of the last six holes to card a closing 69 and force a play-off with home favourite Robert Karlsson at Barseback.

The 25-year-old from Cambuslang then parred the second hole of sudden death to secure victory and the €270,000 first prize after Karlsson made two visits to the trees to run up a double-bogey six.

The pair had finished tied on 10 under par after Karlsson let slip a one-shot lead with two holes to play. South African Richard Sterne took third on nine under with Germany’s Marcel Siem another shot back in fourth.

Warren holed the winning putt in the Walker Cup at Sea Island in 2001, but struggled to establish himself in the paid ranks after turning professional until topping the Challenge Tour rankings last year with two victories.

Karlsson, seeking back-to-back victories, was four shots clear after seven holes after recovering from a bogey at the first with three birdies in his next four holes.

A bogey at the 11th gave the chasing pack some hope but, even after Warren’s superb finish drew him level on 10 under par, Karlsson birdied the 16th after finding a path through the trees following a wayward drive.

He was not so lucky after a similar drive on the 17th however, and in the end did well to scramble a bogey five to drop back alongside Warren.

“I tried to keep saying to myself it was no different to the Challenge Tour, even though I was up against a player the calibre of Robert,” said Warren.

“I know pressure can make people make mistakes and I had my fingers crossed I would get another chance.

“I really enjoy being in pressure situations, I don’t really have any fear about what can go wrong. I just try to picture myself holding the trophy.

“I have a belief that when I’m under pressure I can conjure something up when it matters.”