RAYMOND RUSSELL mastered the challenge of England's David Carter and Ireland's Padraig Harrington to score his first European Tour victory in the Air France Cannes Open yesterday.

The 23 year old Scot from Prestonpans near Edinburgh, birdied the last two holes of a closing 71 for a two shot victory the 23 year old Carter with Harrington (24) slipping down to eighth place after an untidy finish for the second day running.

But even though his mistakes were costly, the rookie from Rathfarnham was far from downhearted after his first top 10 placing and a cheque for £8,232.

"It's the best weekend that I have had so far and I deserved what I got, so I am not complaining" he said.

My whole plan was to play my own game and see if I could get into contention in the closing stages. But I hit all my key shots, left and I badly need to practice.

Harrington had been up alongside Russell and Carter for the first 15 holes of Saturday's third round, but finished with three successive bogeys to start the last day four adrift of the joint leaders.

Yet when he began with nine pars and chipped in at the 10th, the Irishman was sharing second place just one behind Russell who was looking increasingly vulnerable.

It was the same with six holes remaining, but then Harrington pulled his drive out of bounds at the 15th to take seven and his title challenge was over.

He followed the double bogey with three putts at the 16th and handed in a 74 for 279 to leave Russell and Carter to fight out the destiny of the title.

With Gordon Brand Jnr and Spain's Ignacio Garrido in the clubhouse at eight under after rounds of 68 and 66, a play off looked likely when Russell put his second shot into the greenside pond at the 16th.

He and Carter were then level at 10 under but the Scot hit a nine iron tee shot only six feet from the flag at the 17th and the birdie put him back in command.

He played the dangerous 18th in copybook style, again holing from six feet to dash Carter's hopes of forcing extra time.

Twice in bunkers the young Englishman could manage only a par five. His consolation was a cheque for more than £44,000 and a further £3,000 from the Johnnie Walker award scheme for his course record 62 in the second round.

Russell said "I got lucky a couple of times, especially at the 16th when I was able to drop out of the water on to the green. But you start out level with everyone in a tournament, even if it is Nick Faldo. So you have to set your sights higher than just making the cut.

"I had the feeling from the very first hole this week that I could win this title, although I won't he getting carried away. One victory does not make me a superstar."

Harrington has now won money in each of the six events he has played in his rookie season and is now 61st in the rankings with £19,040. That is good solid progress and he has earned a start in this week's Turespana Masters on Valencia's El Saler links where Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal are due to appear.

David Feherty who also birdied the last two holes, and had a trio of twos on his card, finished with a 71 for three under par 280 to share 13th place and win £5,896.

He holds 16th place in the money list. Paul McGinley closed with a 74 for 282 to be joint 20th (£4,500) and that was enough to keep him in the top 10, where his prize money is now in excess of £72,000.

Darren Clarke and Philip Walton both finished with 71 for level par 284 and won £3,040.