Moscow triumph for Lundberg

Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg today claimed his second Inteco Russian Open title in four years in Moscow.

Lundberg, winner in 2005, carded a closing round of 68 at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club for a 21-under-par total and two-shot victory over Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara.

England’s Benn Barham birdied the last to finish third on 18-under with Norway’s Jan Are Larsen a shot further back in fourth. Jamie Moul, one off the lead overnight, could only manage a closing 73 to fall back into a tie for sixth.

Lara had moved into the lead with his eighth birdie of the day on the 14th, but promptly bogeyed the next after failing to make the most of a stroke of luck when his ball hit a spectator to prevent it running into the trees.

The 31-year-old then drew level with a birdie on the 17th and set the clubhouse target on 19-under with a round of 64, and it looked like Lundberg would also fall victim to the 15th.

After pulling his drive into the trees, Lundberg hit a tree with his recovery attempt and had to hack out down the fairway with his third shot, but then pitched to seven feet and holed for a vital par.

He then holed from 25ft for birdie on the 16th and from five feet for another birdie on the next to have the luxury of playing the last with a two-shot lead.