Johansson ends 10-year wait with victory in Russia

NAKHABINO, Russia, Aug 5 (Reuters) Per-Ulrik Johansson shot a final round five-under 67 to cruise to a six-stroke triumph at the rain-affected Russian Open today, the Swede notching his first victory in a decade.

The 40-year-old, playing in only his third European Tour event this year, made five birdies to set a record lowest score for the tournament at 23-under-par 265, one stroke better than the mark set by Spain's Alejandro Canizares last year.

The former Ryder Cup player, whose last victory came in Aug. 1997 when he successfully defended the European Open in Ireland, also boosted his bank account by 336,710 dollars after earning just over 54,000 euros in 2007 before this event.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, who started the day four strokes behind Johansson, bogeyed the ninth after a flawless round on Saturday to finish second with a three-under 69 and a 271 total.

Scotland's Alan McLean came third, a further stroke back.

Bad weather disrupted the 2 million dollars tournament over the first two days.

The organisers were forced to suspend play on Friday after a downpour drenched the course at the Moscow Country Club in suburban Nakhabino, waterlogging the greens and fairways.

Play was also stopped for more than three hours on Thursday.

REUTERS BJR BST1644