General / Editor / 26 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

has become the European Tour's tenth first-time winner of the season after claiming victory in the Madeira Islands Open by no less than seven shots.

The win came as a surprise to punters - largely due to the fact that Vanscik had only made 10 cuts from 25 starts in his rookie season last year - and prior to heading for Madeira had only made three cuts in seven attempts this term.

The Argentinian becomes the tenth first-time winner in just 18 Tour events so far this season, and now he has left his maiden tag behind, he says he hopes to go onto bigger and better things over the remainder of the season.

The 30-year-old had a four-shot lead going into the final round and a closing four-under-par 68 ensured that he extended his lead to finish a distance in front of 1995 winner Santiago Luna and South African David Frost.

Despite being without a Tour win, Vancsik looked surprisingly calm throughout his round, and he will now hope to begin a charge up the European money list, from the lowly 215th position he held prior to the start in Madeira.

Currently Swede Henrik Stenson (1.7) and South African, Ernie Els (6.8) head the betting in the Order of Merit - Winner market but a few more performances like this from Vancsik may have punters sitting up and taking note.

His charge to an 18 under par total equalled the best aggregate score in the Portuguese island event and many Betfair punters would have seen this success as one of the more surprising Tour outcomes.