NEWPORT, Wales: Sweden's Alex Noren won the Wales Open by two strokes Sunday to claim his second European Tour victory. The second and third-round leader was never threatened as he closed with a one-under 70 for a nine-under 275 total, two better than Dane Anders Hansen and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy. Although Noren hardly got into top gear over the first nine holes in soaking conditions at Celtic Manor's 2010 Ryder Cup course, his rivals never looked like catching him. He had built a four-shot lead by the 12th before making a rare mistake when finding a hazard on the 15th. A bogey when playing partner Hansen birdied, though, merely reduced his margin of a victory. Noren's only other title came in the 2009 European Masters in Switzerland and after pocketing the $488,000 first prize the 28-year-old from Stockholm explained why it had taken so long to win again. After his calamitous 81 of Saturday, McDowell finished well down the field in Wales, 12 shots behind the winner. Sweden's 2010 Ryder Cup player Peter Hanson (72) tied for fourth place, three behind Noren, along with compatriot Johan Edfors, Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal. Briton Elliot Saltman, banned earlier in the season for rules infringements, holed in one for a second time during the week at the same hole, the 17th. The ace helped him to a 69 and three-under 281 for tied 12th place. Stricker three ahead American Steve Stricker faded after making a scorching start to the Memorial tournament third round Saturday yet still preserved his three-shot overnight lead. The world No. 8 spectacularly eagled two of his first five holes on a sweltering afternoon at Muirfield Village Golf Club but dropped two shots after the turn on the way to a three-under-par 69. That left Stricker at 12-under 204 in the event hosted by Jack Nicklaus, with compatriot Jonathan Byrd in second spot after tapping in a two-foot birdie putt at the last for a matching 69. Americans Matt Kuchar (68) and Brandt Jobe (69) were tied for third at eight under, one stroke better than compatriots Mark Wilson (66) and Shaun Micheel (67) and Britain's Rory McIlroy (71). Three ahead of the chasing pack overnight, Stricker made an explosive start by holing out from 116 yards to eagle the par-four second. Long regarded as one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, Stricker lipped out with a birdie attempt from seven feet at the par-four 17th before parring the last.
