WHITNELL SECURES THREE-STROKE VICTORY AT VOLVO CAR SCANDINAVIAN MIXED

• Dale Whitnell clinches maiden DP World Tour title
• Anne Van Dam ends the week in T3 as top female

Dale Whitnell produced a final round of 70 (-2) to win the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed with a total of 21-under-par.

The Englishman led from the halfway stage after a second round of 61 (-11) and held a four-stroke lead coming into the last day.

Whitnell dropped a shot on the fourth but bounced back with birdies on five and six, he rolled in another on the 11^th before making a bogey on hole 13.

However, a birdie on 17 meant the 34-year-old could relax coming into the final hole where he made par to triumph by three strokes at Ullna Golf Club.

“It’s awesome,” said Whitnell. “Obviously, Sweden is a great host for a tournament like this. It was great playing with the women. I can’t thank everybody enough.

“It tested me out there. [My caddie] Gaz was great. It’s been a long road for me. I’ve got so many people to thank. My fiancée Angie, our little dog, obviously! My coach who I didn’t know flew out today. My mum and dad. All my friends and family. This means everything to me.

“I’d like to obviously thank all the ladies and Ladies European Tour. It’s great to play against the women but I managed to come up trumps this time. Hopefully, you can get us back again next year. I think I’m going to have a good celebration next week!”

American Sean Crocker finished in second place on 18-under-par after a round of 65 (-7) on the final day which included two eagles, four birdies and one bogey.

Dutch star Anne Van Dam finished as the leading female in a tie for third place on 15-under-par alongside Germany’s Yannik Paul.

After her round of 63 (-9) on moving day, Van Dam followed it up with a round of 69 (-3) to end her week in Sweden six shots behind the winner.

“It was always going to be tough to follow up a performance like I did yesterday,” said the five-time LET winner. “I just tried to start my round with a clean slate.

“The front nine I actually played good, I had a lot of chances and the back nine I was on top of my game, so it was nice to hang on in there and then the birdie on 18 feels extra special.

“I was 14 shots behind going into the weekend, so I knew I had to play a little bit more aggressive. Today as well, even not having my best game, you have to keep going. You have to stay aggressive and see if you can make some chances.

“My putter wasn’t that good today otherwise I feel like I could have pushed a little…