Johansson wins for first time in 10 years

Sweden's Per-Ulrik Johansson shot a final-round, five-under-par 67 to cruise to a six-stroke triumph at the rain-affected Russian…

Sweden's Per-Ulrik Johansson shot a final-round, five-under-par 67 to cruise to a six-stroke triumph at the rain-affected Russian Open and clinch his first victory in a decade.

The 40-year-old, playing in only his third European Tour event this year, made five birdies to set a record lowest score for the tournament of 23-under-par 265 to better the mark of last year's winner, Alejandro Canizares of Spain, by a stroke.

Gary Murphy, who started the day tied for fourth, closed with a level par 72 that included a triple bogey seven at the 13th to finish on 11 under, 12 shots behind the runaway leader. He earned €42,000.

Peter Lawrie also shot a closing 72 to finish on seven under, worth €14,000.

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"I haven't won in 10 years so it feels incredible," Johansson, who now has six titles, said. "I played some good golf since then but I haven't played this well, so I'm very, very pleased."

The former Ryder Cup player, whose last victory came in August 1997, when he successfully defended the European Open at The K Club, also boosted his bank account by €244,250 after earning just over €54,000 in 2007 before this event.

Bad weather disrupted the $2 million tournament over the first two days.

The organisers were forced to suspend play on Friday after a downpour drenched the course at the Moscow Country Club in suburban Nakhabino, waterlogging the greens and fairways.

Play was also stopped for more than three hours on Thursday.

Despite the nasty weather, Johansson was delighted with his short game.

"I think my putting was the best I've ever putted through a whole tournament. I can't remember making that many putts," he said. "My long game was okay and I kept the ball in play, but every time I got the ball on the green I felt like I had a chance for a birdie."

Four shots clear heading into the final round - which saw tee-off times brought forward several hours due to the threat of more bad weather - Johansson was never threatened and made sure of victory with a front nine of 32.

Another birdie on the 11th allowed him to fully enjoy the rest of his long-overdue victory.

The Swede, who earned a two-year Tour exemption with his victory, was not even disappointed that his sensational 62 on Friday did not count as a course record because of the flooded fairways.

"If I had to chose between the course record and winning I would take the win," he said.