Golf: Graeme McDowell wins French Open in style as Richard Sterne collapses

Graeme McDowell produced a final round 4-under-par 67 to lead home the field by four strokes and become the first Northern Irishman to win the French Open on a thrilling final day at Le Golf National on Monday morning.

The 2010 US Open winner finished the tournament with a 9-under total of 275 as an initially tense final round eventually became a one man show with McDowell cantering home to pick up a winner's cheque of 500,000 euros.

His closest rival, Richard Sterne of South Africa, held the lead after nine holes before collapsing down the stretch and finishing with three bogeys in six holes while McDowell's rock solid game of just four bogeys throughout the tournament was the cornerstone of his second win of the year.

Sterne settled for second on 5-under 279.

Englishman Graeme Storm and Spaniard Eduardo De La Riva were paired together for the final round and both men fired 2-under 69s to claim a share of third spot on four under.

"I've always felt that this golf course is one I can get around well. And coming into this week has been a bit strange for me, too many missed cuts and a little bit inconsistent," said McDowell.

"I felt my confidence coming back and hit the ball beautifully Thursday, Friday, Saturday. And today I was very realistic about my chances.

"Myself and Richard (Sterne) kind of dragged each other along there. He played really, really well and I knew it wasn't going to be an easy day.

"The way he was playing kind of inspired me to play better and it was a really good battle with him.

"The turning point was probably 15 and 16. Fifteen was an average putt that I thought missed and it went in and sixteen I still don't know how it went in. It was a right to left putt but I think the crowd sucked it in.

"I'm a very proud French Open winner."