Nicolai Hojgaard wins in Ras Al Khaimah Championship, Padraig Harrington tied for 27th

Nicolai Hojgaard recovered from a mid-round stumble to fight off the challenge of Jordan Smith and claim a four-shot victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, while Padraig Harrington finished in a tie for 27th.

Harrington carded a final round 67 - his lowest score across the four days in the United Arab Emirates and which included an eagle on the 14th along with six birdies - to finish on 10 under, 14 shots adrift of Hojgaard.

The 20-year-old Dane began the day with a three-shot lead and extended his advantage to five with an early eagle. But a double-bogey six on the ninth allowed charging Englishman Smith to close the gap to just one stroke as Hojgaard reached the turn.

And with Hojgaard dropping another shot at the 12th and Smith completing a hat-trick of birdies from the 12th to 14th, the lead changed hands as Smith led by two.

However, Hojgaard bounced back with a birdie at the 13th before producing the shot of the day on his way to an outstanding eagle on the next, and he suddenly found himself with a two-shot advantage after Smith, three groups ahead of the Dane, had bogeyed the 15th.

And from there Hojgaard was able to cruise to victory, making further birdies at the 17th and 18th to sign for a closing 68 and finish the week on 24 under par.

LEADERBOARD

Hojgaard is now a two-time DP World Tour winner following last year's DS Automobiles Italian Open victory.

Smith, who began the day six shots off the lead, finished in outright second, three clear of the group in third.

Among the four-way tie for third was Li Haotong, who shot a sparkling 63 on Sunday to tie the course record.

After clinching victory, Hojgaard told Sky Sports: "It's very sweet. It's been such a tough grind today. Got off to a good start and then I