Dixon snatches surprise St Omer win

David Dixon shot a sublime five-under-par 66 to come from way back to clinch victory in the St Omer Open today.

Having started the day on level par, the Englishman fired four consecutive birdies from the seventh hole and then another at the par-five 14th to snatch victory, finishing one shot ahead of overnight leader Christian Nilsson.

Dixon's passage to the top of the leaderboard was aided by slip-ups from the Swede, who was two shots clear going into today and whose level-par 71 proved insufficient.

Nilsson equalled the course record on the second day with a seven-under 64, but hit three bogeys on the back nine today as the pressure increased.

He needed to chip in on the 18th to force a play-off but fell just short, handing Dixon an unlikely win.

The 31-year-old shot a six-over 77 on the first day but stormed back into contention with 67 and 69 before today's dramatic finish.

"I played very well and I was very calm on the last few holes which was surprising," said an overwhelmed Dixon after his maiden European Tour triumph.

"I hit it close all day but at the start I wasn't making the putts. But then they started to roll in for that run of birdies and I holed some good ones on the last few holes.

"It's going to take a while to sink in. I didn't think about (winning) today and didn't let those thoughts enter my mind on the course which helped.

"Yes it's a small event but a win's a win and for me it's massive."

Steven O'Hara finished in third place on three under after seven birdies and four bogeys gave him a three-under 69, while Seve Benson, Richard Bland and Francois Delamontagne tied for fourth on two under.

Englishman Robert Coles, who was two shots off the lead going into the final round, failed to make the most of his position and shot a one-over 72 to finish joint seventh on one under alongside Roope Kakko and David Drysdale.

Best of the Irish was Michael Hoey, whose final round of 70 saw him finish tied for 16th on three-over-par.

Dixon's win gives him exemption to the European Tour until the end of 2009, as well as €100,000 and a place at the HSBC Champions.