Rikard Karlberg closed the gap on Michael Hoey as the final round of the M2M Russian Open began at Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club, but the Northern Irishman still held a commanding advantage.
Hoey had put himself in pole position for a fifth European Tour title with a brilliant third round 65 that left him four shots clear of the field on 14 under.
The 34 year old - who had not finished better than 25th on The European Tour this season and missed seven of his last ten cuts coming into the event – began his final round with five consecutive pars to remain on that mark.
And halfway leader Karlberg, who had battled back from four dropped shots early in his third round that appeared to have ended his chances, birdied the second and fourth to reduce the deficit to three.
China’s Liang Wen-chong, Dane JB Hansen, England’s James Morrison and Finn Mikko Korhonen were all two shots further back on nine under, five adrift of Hoey.
