PROFESSIONAL golfer Oliver Farr took an emotional Challenge Tour victory following a 'hard year' away from the course.

The 31-year-old, Withington based golfer produced a stunning comeback to win his third European Challenge Tour title at the Lalla Aïcha Challenge Tour last weekend.

The Welshman started the day four shots behind overnight leaders, but soon charged up the leaderboard with three consecutive birdies from the third hole, picking up two further shots on the seventh and eighth before posting four further birdies over his back nine, including on the 18th, to finish on 15 under par and record a three-shot victory.

It was an emotional win for Farr, who has played only 11 Challenge Tour events this season after a busy and difficult year away from the course.

“It’s been a hard year for me and my family, so to get this win is extra special not just for me but for everyone back home,” Farr said.

“If I’m honest, I didn’t really think about winning when I went to bed last night, so to come back on top today was brilliant.

"To shoot nine under par on any course is amazing. I left myself in some tricky places today, but my putter felt really good and I holed a couple of really nice ones along the way as well which always helps.

“It is my third victory now on the Challenge Tour and it’s always great to win no matter where you are on the rankings.

"I’ve only got three events left now so I’ve still got to play great and hopefully I can continue this form until the end of the season. I always feel like I can win tournaments but as the year goes on you start to question whether you can, so to get this win just feels great.”

With his win, Farr moves from 37th to 13th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings as he eyes his third promotion onto the European Tour, following successful Challenge Tour campaigns in 2014 and 2017.

The Challenge Tour now heads back to Europe for the Stone Irish Challenge this weekend.