Brier claims China Open title

Overnight leader Brier started the day on six-under-par holding a one-shot advantage over playing partner Hend, and had extended it to two by the turn, as some beautiful putting brought four birdies to go with the minor setback of a bogey at the fourth as the Austrian went out in 32 to move to nine-under.

Hend fell further behind with consecutive bogeys at the 10th and 11th, while Brier produced a run of eight pars before he birdied the last to finish 10 under par and add the event, co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, to the BA-CA Golf Open the 38-year-old won in Vienna last June.

McDowell could not get anything going in his final round as the Northern Irishman ended the day in a tie for second on five under par.

The 27-year-old looked set to mount a last day charge as he closed within two of Brier after a birdie at the par-four second, but could not take advantage of a number of opportunities before a four at the last completed a round of 69.

McDowell finished level with Hend after the Australian birdied the 18th for a level-par final round of 71, and McLardy as the South African picked up two birdies and a bogey in a round of 70.

England's David Griffiths sealed a second consecutive top-10 finish after claiming a tie for third place at the Portuguese Open in Estoril two weeks ago.

The 26-year-old shot a final round of 71 to end one under par for the tournament, while compatriot Miles Tunnicliff recorded an impressive 66 to end the week level par.