ESPN Golf

MALLORCA, Spain -- Frenchman Gregory Bourdy became the European Tour's 18th first-time winner this season when he clinched the Mallorca Classic title on Sunday.

Bourdy's closing 3-under-par 67 for a 12-under, 268, four-round total left him two shots in front of Britain's Sam Little, whose 67 made sure he kept his European Tour playing card.

The 18 first-time winners sets a European Tour record. The previous mark was 17 in 2003.

The 25-year-old Bordeaux professional began the final round sharing the lead with Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands but his steadier play, along with important saves over the opening holes, saw him break clear.

After Derksen had drawn level with him briefly, Bourdy took charge with three birdies in five holes from the fifth, rode his luck at the 16th, where his ball just crept over the hazard boundary, and held off a determined Little to pick up the $475,000 first prize.

"This is fantastic to get my first win," said Bourdy, soaked in champagne poured over him by fellow French players on the 18th green.

"I got lucky on the opening holes, they were three big pars. After that my game was much better."

Bourdy's choice of an iron off the tee at 16 left him in the rough with two stretches of water to cross and he watched in dismay at first, thinking his ball had found the latter hazard, but it skipped inches over.

Little had begun the week facing a trip to tour school but his considerable effort hauled him from 136th place on the European money list to safety.

A tearful Little told reporters: "It was my great escape. But playing like I have this week, showed me I was good enough not to have to struggle like I have."