Three is the magic number for Bahrain Open winner Andrew Marshall

Dereham's Andrew Marshall stormed to his third consecutive Bahrain Open title after being five shots behind the leader going into the final round.

The 39-year-old took time out from his European Tour schedule to play in the Middle East, and his performance further confirmed the good form he is in following his previous 15th-placed finish in the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco the week before.

The Norwich Family Golf Centre-backed player has now won the tournament five times in six appearances and clearly feels at home on the desert course at the Awali Golf Club that features browns instead of greens, which are made from sand and oil. Marshall won by two shots from England's Daniel Owen following a final round 66 and is now hoping he can carry on his good form in next week's Spanish Open.

'I was four under after nine holes but slipped up on the middle of the back nine to drop two shots before recovering late in the round for a four under 66. Dan Owen was absolutely tearing the course apart his nine under 61 will I think never be beaten!

'This left me surprised to be five behind after a decent start.'

Owen couldn't maintain this form on the second day and Marshall clawed back the deficit to finish with two putts from three feet to win on the last.

'I holed it with great delight to become the only triple champion in the tournament's history,' said Marshall.

'I'm second reserve for the Spanish Open and am desperate to get out there and show what I can do. I'm playing really well and need to get some scores on the board.