Late birdie rush gives Willett European Masters crown

Englishman Danny Willett drained three late birdies and fired a bogey-free final round of 65 to win the European Masters by one shot over compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick at Crans-sur-Sierre on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Yorkshireman, who held the halfway lead at last week's British Open, hit a five-under par round that crucially included birdies at 13, 14 and 15 as Fitzpatrick, 20, paid the price for a bogey at the 11th.

Tyrell Hatton was alone in third spot on 15 under, as English players swept the top three places, with Sweden's Pelle Edberg a further shot back in fourth and India's Anirban Lahiri completing the top five on 12 under, five shots adrift of Willett.

Hatton, 23, recorded the best score of the day with a 62 that included an eagle and six birdies, but just came up short in his bid for a maiden EPGA title.

Willett is a former world number one amateur who also carved out a successful college career in the United States.

His win on Sunday was his third victory on the European Tour and came hot on the heels of a stellar performance at St Andrews where a second round 69 on the Old Course gave him the halfway lead.

American Zach Johnson went on to win the 144th British Open in a playoff after Willett had faded over the last 36 holes.