Dan Brown sealed a maiden DP World Tour title with a wire-to-wire victory at the ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland, while Alexa Pano secured victory in the women’s event.
The 28-year-old who comes from Yorkshire, England, entered the final day with a six shot lead but an early wobble meant that his lead was reduced to two shots. Back-to-back birdies meant that he regained control and finished the tournament on 15 under, securing a five shot victory at Galgorm Castle.
“I just managed to hit some good shots after the blip on 11, 12, 13,” Brown said.
“I could never have dreamed this up in the past, however many years or whatever it is. I don’t think it’s sunk in.”
Alexa Pano, hailing from Massachusetts, also earned a maiden victory, on her 19th birthday, in a much tighter competition, defeating Easter Henseleit and Gabriella Cowley in a play-off in the women’s event.
Pano looked to close victory after sinking birdies on the 17th and 18th but Germany’s Esther Henseleit England’s Gabriella Cowley both joined the American on eight under to force the play-off. But Pano came out on top to secure a first ever victory.
“It feels so surreal that it’s happened. I can’t actually process that,” Pano said.
The next event on the DP World Tour Schedule is the D+D Real Czech Masters taking place between 24-27 August at the Albatross Golf Resort in the Czech Republic.