MALLORCA, May 15, 2011 (AFP) - Darren Clarke overcame a four-shot deficit to win the Iberdrola Open on Sunday and dedicated his 13th European Tour title to the memory of golf legend Seve Ballesteros.
The Northern Irishman, 42, carded a final-round 69 for a six-under-par total for the tournament, three ahead of the English duo of Chris Wood, who had led after the second and third rounds, and David Lynn.
"We wouldn’t be here without Seve, simple as that," said Clarke of the great Spaniard who lost his long battle with cancer last weekend.
"The European Tour would not be in the position it is today without Seve.
"He was the first man to do so many things and make so many breakthroughs that we have all followed, so to win in his homeland in the week that he passed away is a real honour."
Clarke, the Ryder Cup vice-captain, had reduced his overnight four-shot deficit to one within three holes, but a double bogey at the 11th after finding water looked to have cost him a first win since the 2008 Dutch Open.
But he recovered in style, holing a putt from the fringe at the 14th while hitting his approach to six feet at the 15th.
Wood had major problems on the back nine -- three-putting the 12th and 13th and driving out of bounds at the 15th as he carded a final-round 70 to finish three-over for the tournament.
"It’s a bit of a monkey to get off my back after three years not winning so it’s good. At the same time I feel a lot for Chris Wood - he’s a young guy, a great player and I’ve been in his position before."
Wood, who is still seeking a first career title, said his final round was riddled with errors.
"Obviously disappointed and gutted," said Wood, who lost a play-off at the Africa Open in January to British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen.
"It was an extremely tough day on the course and it was a bit of a grind all the way round."