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Noren edges Hend; wins European Masters again

Noren shot 66 to finish on 12 under going into the final day, with England’s Richard Bland, who led after day two, finishing two shots further back following a 69.

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Hend cruised three shots clear of the chasing pack with five birdies in the first 10 holes, but saw his lead reduced when playing partner Noren holed from 50 feet for birdie on the 17th.

Hend duck-hooked his tee shot at the 18th but enjoyed a huge slice of fortune when his second pitched short of the stream at the front of the green and hopped onto the putting surface, and he got up and down from the rear rough to force extra holes.

Danny Willett surprised himself with a brilliant start to the defence of his Omega European Masters title – but the form of Ryder Cup team-mates Matt Fitzpatrick and Andy Sullivan could be a concern for European captain Darren Clarke.

England’s Andrew Johnston was three shots back in outright third after a five under 65, which included three birdies and an eagle on the inward nine.

Scott Hend of Australia shot a 5-under round of 65 to lead by one stroke after the European Masters third round on Saturday.

England’s Andrew Johnston competes during the second round of the Omega European Masters Golf Tournament in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Friday, Sept.2, 2016.

“It feels unbelievable”, said Noren, who also won the Scottish Open in July and will now move into the top-30 of the world ranking for the first time in his career.

Willett is one of six European Ryder Cup rookies in captain Darren Clarke’s squad for the September 30-Oct.

“I didn’t hit the very best of tee shots and I was down the right”.

“I think Alex played the 18th hole way better than I did and made an awesome birdie for a deserving win”.

“On the first day I was a bit rusty”, Westwood acknowledged.

“He played fantastic golf today but I didn’t play quite well enough”.

Westwood, 43, will be making his 10th consecutive appearance in the Ryder Cup later this month as Europe seek to lift the trophy for the seventh time in eight contests when they take on the United States at Hazeltine in Minnesota.

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“I’m looking forward to another week off for practice and then to Italy”, Willett said, after a round had begun with bogey-5s at the first two holes.

Lee Westwood closed with a flawless 63