ALEX CUP FOR MORE SUCCESS.

Byline: Bernie McGuire

ALEX NOREN grabbed his maiden European Tour title in Switzerland yesterday and stormed to the top of the Ryder Cup standings.

The 27-year-old Swede now leads Colin Montgomerie's team list for Celtic Manor after winning the Omega European Masters in Crans-sur-sierre - the first qualifying event for next year's clash with the USA.

Noren holed a bunker shot for eagle at the 15th, en route to a closing 66 and 20-under par victory tally of 264.

It was Noren's first win in 79 Tour starts and earned the Stockholm player a start in November's WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

He had been duelling with Welshman Bradley Dredge for the better part of the final round and was just one clear of the 2006 champion when his bunker shot finished pin-high at the par-five 15th.

Noren then punched his fist in delight after his 25-yard shot disappeared into the cup.

It was the second day in a row that the pint-sized Swede had eagled the 15th and he said: "I felt so happy when the ball went into the hole. It just feels great to win.

"My game's turned around since I changed to the Odyssey 2-Ball putter, as I am rolling the ball so much better."

Dredge carded a 65 to finish second on 18-under with England's Ross McGowan (65) a further shot back in third.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez shot 67 for fourth on 16-under while Rory McIlroy's lowest round of the day 64 helped the Northern Irishman to a share of seventh with England pair Simon Dyson and David Howell and Filipino Angelo Que.

But the day belonged to Noren and he now has his eyes firmly fixed on Celtic Manor.

He said: "Now that I am No.1 on the list I just have to stay there.

"I have thought about playing in the Ryder Cup one day but I didn't know my first win was going to come this soon. I am really happy with it."

The four remaining Scots ended well down the field with Callum Macaulay leading the honours after carding a 73 for a three-under 281 tally.

Honours Macaulay picked up four birdies but undid his good work with four bogeys and a double bogey.

David Drysdale posted a 69 for a 282 total while a 17th hole double bogey cost Scott Drummond hopes of finishing top Scot. He recorded a 71 also for a 282 tally while he remains well below 150th on the Order of Merit.

This year is the final season of Drummond's five-year exemption after winning the 2004 BMW PGA Championship and he needs to finish 115 or better to avoid losing his Tour card.

Gary Orr also finished on 282 after closing with a 70.

CAPTION(S):

SWISS BLISS: Alex Noren celebrates his maiden win