Rookie Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal held his nerve on Sunday to claim one of Europe's top prizes by winning the French Open in only his 17th European Tour start. Larrazabal, 25, again thwarted several of Europe's most illustrious names as he closed with a four-under par 67 for a 15-under total of 269 to finish four shots clear of eight-time European number one Colin Montgomerie. Montgomerie holed a 40ft birdie putt on the 18th for a 68 to assure him sole possession of second place. Denmark's Ryder Cup hopeful Soren Hansen, second in this event last year, carded a 69 to finish a further stroke back. Starting three strokes ahead of the field, Larrazabal refused to be intimidated by the big names behind him that included another former European number one, Lee Westwood, who made a fast start to add to the pressure. Despite dropping another shot on the long 14th, he again responded with two successive birdies to make the 666,660 euro first prize – one of the largest tour purses – safely his.
