Portuguese Masters: Andy Sullivan wins by nine shots

Andy Sullivan was sprayed with champagne by his parents on the 18th green after completing his Portugal Masters victory

Andy Sullivan cruised to a nine-shot victory in the Portugal Masters to become the first three-time winner on the European Tour this season.

The Englishman, 29, went into the final round with a five-shot lead.

His closing five-under 66 ensured that he was never challenged in Vilamoura, finishing on 23 under par.

Compatriot Chris Wood was second on 14 under after a 68, with Anthony Wall, Trevor Fisher and Eduardo de la Riva another shot back in joint third.

Sullivan, from Nuneaton, also won the South Africa Open in January and Joburg Open in March.

"It's just absolutely incredible," he said. "To lead from day one right through the final day is nothing I've ever experienced before so I wasn't sure how I'd cope.

"I think I did all right but it was a lot harder than I made it look. I knew I needed to keep going, keep pushing, and keep staying ahead.

"I felt like I never really got to relax until that second shot to the 18th, even though I knew I had a big lead. Golf's a funny game, you just never know what can happen."

Wood, from Bristol, had his seventh Top 10 finish of the season - and his third in as many weeks.

"I didn't play that great," he said. "But, even if I had, I don't think it would have made too much of a difference, as Andy played absolutely superbly.

"Hats off to him. I knew the game was probably up after five or six holes, because he wasn't missing a shot."