Jordan Smith produced a tremendous display of frontrunning to claim his second DP World Tour title with a sensational three-shot victory at the Portugal Masters.
The Englishman went into the final round with a two-shot lead and rarely looked like opening the door for the chasing pack on Sunday, treating the crowds to a ball-striking masterclass as he made an eagle and six birdies in a flawless 63 to finish the tournament on 30 under par.
Smith’s wire-to-wire victory caps a superb 2022 season and sees him move into the top 10 on the DP World Tour Rankings and return to the winner’s circle for the first time since the 2017 Porsche European Open.
His winning total is one better than the DP World Tour record, set by Ernie Els at the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic, but due to preferred lies this week Smith’s tally does not go into the record books.
Gavin Green finished alone in second after closing with a brilliant 64 to finish on 27 under par.
Green barely put a foot wrong all day, impressing with some magnificent shots as he attempted to reel in Smith but in the end, the Englishman proved impossible to catch.
An emotional victory for @Jsmithgolf 💬 #PortugalMasters pic.twitter.com/45XlWAb0vq
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 30, 2022
Tapio Pulkkanen was five shots further back in third, one ahead of fourth-placed Eddie Pepperell.
German duo Hurly Long and Sebastian Heisele were tied for fifth on 19 under, with Heisele heading into retirement on a high.
Richard Sterne was the best-placed South African on 13 under (T27) followed by Daniel van Tonder on 12 under and Wico Niebaner on 11 under.
– Report from DP World Tour website
