SPANISH HOME WINNER ON CHALLENGE TOUR.

Alvaro Velasco ended a Spanish drought as he fired six birdies into a closing round of 65 to become the first home winner of the Fred Olsen Challenge de España in 11 years.

The Spaniard surged through the field to finish on 18 under par 266, two strokes clear of Eliot Saltman who led from the first round.Saltman had a final round 69 for a 16 under par finish.

Velasco was bogey free in his final round at Tecina Golf, La Gomera, to give the home support only their second winner of the Fred Olsen Challenge de Espana since Carl Suneson in 1999. He also becomes the sixth first time Challenge Tour winner of the season.

Ireland's only representive was Athlone's Colm Moriarty.He was full of confidence after his 11th place finish in the Saint-Omer Open on the main tour the previous week.He opened with a 6 under par 65 to share the lead.He lost some ground after returning scores of 73 & 71 on the Friday & Saturday,but Moriarty hit back in the final round with a best of the day 64 for a share of 8th place on 11 under par.