Alexander Noren has underlined his status as Europe's hottest golfer by grabbing a third victory in eight events at the British Masters, becoming the first man to win three times on the tour in 2016.
The 34-year-old took a three-stroke lead into the final round at The Grove course just outside London on Sunday, and the Swede was never headed as he compiled a closing two-under-par 69 for an 18-under aggregate of 266.
Noren, who also won the Scottish Open in July and last month's European Masters in Switzerland, finished two strokes clear of Austrian Bernd Wiesberger (67).
Former world No.1 Lee Westwood ended a miserable run of form as a 67 secured third place on 269, two ahead of fellow Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Richard Bland, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, Alexander Levy, of France, and Swede Peter Hanson.
Asked if he could ever have imagined winning three times in one season, Noren replied: "No, I didn't see that.
"I'll never believe in myself that much to believe it, it's amazing to be here now. I know golf is a tough game and I'll try to stay humble."
After torrential overnight rain left some greens flooded, causing a brief suspension in play, Noren served early notice of his intentions with a birdie-birdie blast at the start.
The Swede, who has also reeled off seven top 10-finishes in his last 15 appearances, then suffered a hiccup with bogeys at the eighth and 11th.
Wiesberger joined him at the top of the leaderboard with a birdie at the par-five 15th but Noren, playing in the group behind, responded immediately with a four at the same hole.
He then picked up the seventh European Tour title of his career, after signing off with another birdie four at the last.
"The big thing is you don't have to play a perfect game," said Noren.
"You just have to have a few parts of your game strong to get a win.
"My putting was probably the best thing this week, I holed a lot of putts."
