Adrian Meronk held his nerve in a breathless back-nine battle to win the DS Automobiles Italian Open.
The Pole kept his composure to hold off French duo Romain Langasque and Julien Guerrier at Marco Simone Golf & Country club.
Meronk, who holed the winning putt at the Hero Cup in January, lifted his third DP World Tour title and boosted his hopes of qualifying for the Ryder Cup, which will take place at this course later this year.
Meronk and Langasque duelled on the back nine, while overnight leader Guerrier kept in touch with them in a thrilling finale.
The Pole edged ahead on the 16th hole with his fifth birdie of the day and holed a par putt from the edge of the green on the 17th.
Langasque’s challenge had appeared to have faltered with a bogey on the 16th, but he stunningly chipped in for a birdie on the penultimate hole to keep the pressure on.
But the Pole was not to be flustered and birdied the 18th to finish one shot clear of Langasque, with Guerrier a further two back.
South Africa’s Daniel van Tonder finished on seven under for a share of fifth position after shooting a final-round 72, with countryman Bryce Easton on two under (T23).
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
