Bjorn eases to Estoril crown

Thomas Bjorn returned to winning ways with a comprehensive five-shot victory at the Estoril Open de Portugal.

The Dane saw off a fine challenge from Richard Green with a closing 68 for a 23 under par aggregate total of 265.

Australian left-hander Green had nibbled away at the two-time Ryder Cup winner's three-shot overnight lead from the outset. He got within one before a decisive swing in Bjorn's direction at the 14th and 15th gave the 39-year-old his 10th European Tour title and first for more than four years.

Former Dubai Desert Classic winner Green bogeyed the par four 14th as his playing partner birdied and when Bjorn's tee shot went within five feet at the par three next the former could only respond by hitting his into a bunker and dropping another shot.

That saw Bjorn pull five clear and although he bogeyed the 16th he managed to avoid a nervous finish.

Green closed with a 70 to finish 18 under for the week, with Dane Mark F Haastrup third on 16 under following a 67 - the best European Tour finish of his career.

England's Robert Rock finished fourth after a final round 71 one ahead of former leader Damien McGrane who ended with a 73.

Robert Coles, of England, and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke shared sixth with Gary Lockerbie in eighth.