GOLF/ITALIAN OPEN:ROBERT ROCK held off a stunning charge from Thorbjorn Olesen to claim his maiden victory on the European Tour at the Italian Open yesterday.

Englishman Rock carded a final round 67 in Turin to finish on 21 under over the Royal Park I Roveri course, one shot ahead of Olesen, who had earlier set a challenging clubhouse lead after a wonderful 62, and Gary Boyd.

Scot Peter Whiteford was fourth, two shots behind Rock.

“I have been waiting a long time to be even in with a chance of doing this,” Rock said. “I played good today so I am very happy.

“It’s a fantastic feeling, it’s one of my favourite courses now. Since they changed the venue I have done well here.

“I was expecting to do well this week but not really expecting this.”

Rock started shakily, bogeying the third, before four successive birdies from the fifth put him back in charge.

He picked up more shots at the 10th, 11th and 13th, with the only blemish coming at the 12th.

He held his nerve impressively over the closing holes, apart from at the 17th when a wayward tee-shot left him in the trees.

But he cracked an iron on to the fairway, with the ball missing a tree by a matter of inches, before pitching to 12 feet and holing his par putt.

“I was just waiting for the first putt to go in today to believe I was still putting well,” he added.

“I holed quite a nice one on the par five, but I was a bit cautious on a few putts opening up.

“But when the first one went in I felt comfortable.”

Olesen had nine birdies and an eagle in a fantastic round which threatened to derail Rock, who had led the event from the outset.

“It was amazing to start with two birdies and then hole my second shot for an eagle at the third,” the Dane said.

“I think it’s the first time I’ve holed a full shot in a tournament, so it felt magic.

“Just 23 putts today. I spoke to Thomas Bjorn after my third round and he gave me a little lesson, so thanks Thomas!

“My golf has been good last week and this week. I found something in my swing.”

England’s Boyd capped an impressive few days with a closing 66. He had eight birdies and two bogeys to finish just ahead of Whiteford.

On a weekend of generally low scoring, Darren Clarke slipped to a disappointing 75 on Saturday to fall out of contention.

But the Dungannon man regrouped yesterday to fire a four-under 68, including six birdies and two bogeys.

He finished on eight under par for a share of 46th.

Damien McGrane finished one shot farther back after a 70.