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Michael Hoey has a happy habit of winning on the European Tour. Niall Carson/PA Wire.
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Northern Irish golfer Michael Hoey wins Russian Open

A final round of 70 was enough for the Co Antrim native to record a four-stroke triumph.

MICHAEL HOEY WILL return from Russia with love-ly silverware after a closing round of 70 secured his first European Tour title of the season.

The Ballymoney golfer built up a sizable lead over his opening three rounds but needed a couple of birdies to stave off Alexandre Kaleka of France and England’s Matthew Nixon for his first ever Russian Open victory. JB Hansen of Denmark was a shot further back.

Hoey, who captured the Moroccan Open and Dunhill Links in recent years, finished on -16. The trophy and winners’ cheque comes as a welcome relief for the 34-year-old as he was enduring an otherwise underwhelming season before his trip to Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club.

He began his round with six straight pars but birdied seven and eight to give himself some breathing space. He dropped a shot on the 12th and his lead was briefly down to two strokes before he birdied 17.

Hoey’s season earnings on The Race to Dubai are now up to more than €240,000. He moves into the top 180 of the world and will hope to continue his ascent to the top 100 as the season nears some of its biggest events for prize purses.

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