JAMIE DONALDSON WINS IRISH OPEN AFTER 255 EVENTS WITHOUT SUCCESS

FROM THE BBCSPORT.COM WEBSITE

Jamie Donaldson finally won his first European Tour title at the 255th attempt by taking the Irish Open title at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland today. 

The Welshman, 36, carded a final-round six-under 66 to win by four shots. “I'm buzzing and I'm so happy to have won on this course - I don't think we have played a better one on the European Tour”

Jamie Donaldson Irish Open winner

England's Anthony Wall, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay were tied for second.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington was in a tie for seventh six shots back, and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlory finished on 11 under with five others.
Donaldson previously had 32 top-10 finishes to his name since turning professional 12 years ago and his last tournament win was the Mauritius Open in 2008.

TRAILING BY TWO

He went into the final round leading by one shot, but at one point was two adrift of Swede Mikael Lundberg who was eight under for the opening 10 holes.

But Donaldson kept his composure to finish with five birdies in the last seven holes, including a 25-foot putt at the last, his closing 66 only one off the lowest round of the week.
The Welshman, who has had to battle with a genetic spine problem during his career, said: "It feels a bit surreal to be honest. I don't think it will sink in until later.
"I'm buzzing and I'm so happy to have won on this course - I don't think we have played a better one on the European Tour."
Reminded of his long wait for a Tour victory, Donaldson added: "It's just been a case of keeping going. I knew that what I was doing was right."

Last week at Sunningdale, Donaldson qualified for the Open Championship, which is being held at at Royal Lytham from July 19 to 22.

The first Irish Open in Northern Ireland since 1953 was watched by sell-out crowds totalling more than 112,000.

LEADING TOTALS
-18: Jamie Donaldson (Wal) 330,330 Euros
-14: Rafa Cabrera-Bello (Spa), Anthony Wall (Eng), Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 144.140 Euros each.
-13: Mark Foster (Eng), Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 77,400 Euros each.
-12: David Drysdale (Sco), Padraig Harrington (Ire), Craig Lee (Sco) 51,600 Euros each 

TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS AND PRIZEMONEY

CLICK HERE