Christofer Blomstrand posted a seven under par final round of 65 to secure his first Challenge Tour title at the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge supported by Finnish Golf Union.
The Swede made a slow start to the final day with a bogey at the first hole, but bounced back brilliantly with eight birdies to reach 20 under par and win by one-shot at Vierumäki Resort.
Overnight leader Alexander Levy made a hole-in-one at the 17th on his way to finishing second alongside Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg on 19 under par.
Blomstrand has reaped the rewards of years of hard work on the Challenge Tour and he was delighted to finally join the winner’s circle in Finland.
“It feels surreal right now,” he said. “I have been working so hard for this moment and I’ve had a couple of chances before, but I haven’t been able to take advantage of them. It’s an amazing feeling and I’m over the moon.
“I have changed a few things in my game and after the hard work I have put in through the years, this week was my week to come out on top.
“I always keep fighting and even when my swing didn’t feel great at times, I kept my head down and tried to do my best.”
The 32-year-old climbs to 21st position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and has now set his sights on promotion to the DP World Tour with ten events left to play.
“This win is so important and now I have a real chance of getting into that top 20 and getting my DP World Tour card,” he said. “That is my goal this season and I’m so pleased I’m heading in the right direction.”
Six-time Challenge Tour winner Benjamin Hébert posted a seven under par round of 65 to share fourth place alongside Spaniard Angel Ayora on 18 under, while England’s Jack Senior and Spain’s Quim Vidal finished a shot further back in sixth.
Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen remains in pole position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, while Englishman John Parry and Dane Hamish Brown are second and third respectively. Levy climbs into fifth place courtesy of his runner up finish in Finland, while Lindberg moves to seventh.
The Road to Mallorca heads to Sweden for the Indoor Golf Group Challenge taking place at Landeryds Golfklubb - Vesterby Links, from August 22-25, 2024.
