Strong finish too late

9:09am Monday 6th October 2008

A STUNNING finish from Robert Dinwiddie fired him up the leaderboard on the final day at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship yesterday.

But, despite carding an impressive 68, four under, in his last round, the Barnard Castle golfer still ended 11 shots shy of the eventual winner Robert Karlsson.

Karlsson claimed the title over the Old Course at St Andrews after a play-off with Ross Fisher and Martin Kaymer.

Dinwiddie's form was more erratic over the four days at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, where he shot 75, 74, 72 and 68.

But he will be satisfied with his final round, which included six birdies.

The North-East's other hope in the competition faded away on the last day, despite posting five birdies.

Hartlepool's Graeme Storm, who had started the competition impressively alongside singer Ronan Keating, ended up well out of contention on 12 over par.

His drop down the leaderboard was mainly down to the horrific nines he made at the 11th and 15th – both were par fours.