Noren wins French Open as rivals falter late in final round

Reuters: Swede Alex Noren emerged as the last man standing to win the RNA French Open by one stroke on Sunday when his rivals faltered late at Le Golf National in Paris.

After picking up birdies at the 16th and 17th holes, Noren parred the demanding final hole to card a four-under-par 67.

He finished at seven-under 277, a score that at the time looked unlikely to be enough.

American Julian Suri led playing the par-four 18th, but failed to clear the water hazard with his approach shot and made a double-bogey.

Englishman Chris Wood then bogeyed the 17th, missing a six-foot putt.

When Wood could not birdie the last, Noren had his 10th victory on the European Tour.

Suri (69), Wood (73) and Scotsman Russell Knox (65) tied for second.