Golf: Daring Gavin Dear lifts first pro title

Gavin Dear secured his first major title as a pro last night in the Alps Tour's Feudo di Asti Open near Turin.

The Perth rookie, a runner-up on the circuit earlier in the season, closed with a seven-under 63 for a ten-under 200 and pipped George Leriche of France to the 5400 top prize in a play-off. Dear's win pushed him up into fourth spot on the Alps Tour's order of merit with the top-five at the end of the year gaining promotion to the European Challenge Tour. Six shots adrift before the final round, former Walker Cup player Dear forged ahead with seven birdies while overnight leader Leriche had to count the cost of a double-bogey in his 69.