MILAN: South Africa's Hennie Otto won the Italian Open here yesterday to finally get off his European Tour duck but it was not without a nervy ending as he let a five-shot lead dwindle.

The 31-year-old Otto only pipped second-placed Oliver Wilson from England by one shot for his maiden win after losing to Scot Alastair Forsyth in a playoff in Madeira in March.

Otto's final hole was not without incident however. He needed a par four to win but he had to play his second shot with one foot in a bunker yet managed a superb shot to within two metres of the flag and two putts were enough to triumph.

His 25-under 263 was just one shot away from the tournament record set by the father of television commentator Peter Alliss, Percy, in 1935.

It was also a great day for 27-year-old Wilson whose final round 64 meant he claimed his third runners-up spot of the season and sixth in all.
Swede Robert Karlsson, who broke the Castello di Tolcinasco course record with his Friday 61, finished third and joint fourth were England's Phillip Archer and German Marcel Siem.

At 22 under par after 54 holes, Otto was only one outside the Tour record held by Ernie Els and David Howell.

He needed a 65 to equal Els' record 29-under at the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, but understandably his focus was on achieving a win that gives him back his Tour membership. -- AFP