(5)TULLO SURPRISES MANASSERO IN SWITZERLAND.

32 year old Chile’s Mark Tullo carded a stunning seven under par 65 in the final round of the Rolex Trophy to deny 17 year old Italian teenager Matteo Manassero his first professional victory.

Manassero was leading by one with three holes to play but he bogeyed the 16th and 17th to slip back to 21 under for the tournament. He had a long birdie putt at the last which would have forced a play-off with Tullo, but it slid past the hole and he had to settle for a two under par 70 at Golf Club de Genève in Switzerland.

Manassero led by three shots from Alex Kaleka heading into the final day following rounds of 66, 67 and 64, and while the Frenchman was unable to mount a strong enough challenge, finishing with a 69, Tullo, four strokes back at the start of the round, applied sufficient pressure with some wonderful putting.

Tullo bogeyed the first but bounced back with eight birdies – four on each nine – to better his previous three rounds of 69, 66 and 66. His progress gradually turned up the heat on Manassero, who stayed in front with five birdies between the fourth and 14th, but as the course came under heavy rain,it was the Chilean who edged ahead as his rival slipped up.

Tullo,won a €24,400 that has helped him to move into the all important top 20 on the order of merit table.He has jumped from 30th into 11th place which should get him into the European Tour next year.

The only Irishman in action was Colm Moriarty.He played very well to return scores of 68,73,72,68 -7 for a share of 23rd and a cheque for €2,470.