Andy Sullivan, 29, dominated the Portuguese Masters at Vilamoura today to win the 9th edition of the competition with a 23 under par total at the Oceanico Victoria course.
Sullivan’s final score of 261 strokes was nine below fellow Englishman Chris Wood and 10 below the South African Trevor Fisher Jr.
Play started late due to heavy overnight rain but Sullivan led from the start. "It's absolutely amazing to lead from day one. I've never had such an advantage, but it seemed more difficult than it was, I had to stay focused, to fight. Golf is a funny game and anything can happen. It was an incredible week," said Sullivan.
"I think winning in Europe was amazing. My win in South Africa was very good, but there is always a question mark over whether we can do it in Europe. It was amazing," said Sullivan who was accompanied by his parents, family members and about 20 friends.
The German, Martin Kaymer, PGA Championship winner in 2010 and US Open winner in 2014, finished in 50th position, two strokes under par, three fewer than the Scotsman Paul Lawrie, the British Open champion in 1999.
The Irishman Padraig Harrington finished five under par, a result equal to the Portuguese Ricardo Melo Gouveia, who earned himself €15,800.
Sullivan's nine-shot winning margin shattered the previous event record of three strokes by Alexander Levy from last season.
It was the 28-year-old Sullivan's third European Tour win after victories at the South African Open and the Joburg Open earlier this year.
Chris Wood finished second, then a three-way tie for third with Anthony Wall, Trevor Fisher Jr. and Eduardo de la Riva
Bad weather in the Algarve threatened to cut the competition to two rounds as in 2014, but the players were lucky and the full competition was run.
