Michael Hoey saw off the challenge of Spain''s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano to win the Estoril Open de Portugal yesterday.
The Northern Irishman started the final day at Oitavos Dunes five strokes off the lead, but produced a superb five-under-par 66 to move to the top of the leaderboard.
Hoey''s overall score of seven under par was matched by Fernandez-Castano, who carded a bogey-free 67 to set up a playoff.
The Spaniard boasted a 100 per cent record in playoffs going into the shootout, but Hoey brought his winning run to an end with an eight-foot putt for par at the third extra hole.
Hoey, the British amateur champion in 2001, described his first professional victory as "a life-changing moment".
"It''s not going to sink in yet. It''s a bit of a dream that I will cherish for a long time," he told the European Tour website.
Italy''s Francesco Molinari closed with a 68 to take third place on six under par.
06/04/2009