Cevaer wins European Open golf event

Frenchman Christian Cevaer shot 2-over-par 74 Sunday yet won the European Open golf tournament by a stroke.

The 74 was the highest closing round score by a tournament champion this season.

His 72-hole total, 7-under 281, included three bogeys and a critical birdie at the par-5 15th hole Sunday.

I’m not a long player, but I used my utility club and it worked out great, the 39-year-old Cevaer said on the European Tour’s Web site after his second career title and a customary champagne shower for a Frenchman.

I made a point, no matter what happened, to enjoy my golf and enjoy my skills and at the end hang in there.

Spain’s Alvaro Quiros (72) and England’s Steve Webster (71) both bogeyed the 18th hole to slip into a second-place tie with England’s Garry Orr (71) at 6-under 282.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, who shared the third-round lead with Cevaer, shot 4-over 76 and finished in a tie for fifth.