SAINT-OMER, France - Darren Fichardt of South Africa shot a 2-over 73 to win the Saint-Omer Open by three strokes on Sunday for his third European Tour title.
Fichardt went into the final round with a five-stroke lead and shot his worst round of the tournament to finish at 5-under 279. He also won the Sao Paulo Brazil Open in 2001 and the Qatar Masters in 2003.
''It was messy today,’' Fichardt said. ''It definitely wasn’t pretty. I was absolutely terrified and I was happy we didn’t have to play any more holes.
''I was happy to get the job done in the end. I was struggling with the lines and pace of putts on the greens, and my club selection was out today, but in the end I got it round and made a few good putts to save par.’'
Gary Lockerbie of England birdied two of the last three holes to shoot a 69 and finish second. Simon Wakefield of England (72) was third, one stroke behind Lockerbie.
No other player finished the tournament, played in strong winds, under par.
Wil Besseling of the Netherlands (73), Pelle Edberg of Sweden (72) and England’s Charlie Ford (70) and Adam Gee (72) were at 286.