Des Smyth finished tied for third as Tim Thelen closed with a level 72 to win the Senior Open de Portugal at Vidago Palace.

The American produced a controlled performance which earned him the fourth European Tour title of his career.

He started the day three shots in front of Smyth, Greg Turner and Carl Mason after opening rounds of 68 and 64, but in the end he had to face both a late charge from Miguel Angel Martin plus a weather delay before claiming the €33,750 first prize.

The players were called off the course at 4.35 local time but when play resumed forty minutes later Thelen promptly birdied the 17th to open a two shot lead before taking a four down the last to finish one shot ahead of Martin on 12 under par 204.

Mason and Smyth both closed with one under par rounds of 71 to share third place on 206 and win €14,062 each.

Philip Walton (74) was 49th on three over (€652) with Eddie Polland (80) 87th.

Senior Open de Portugal, Vidago Palace (Par 72)

Final

204 T Thelen (USA) 68 64 72,

205 M Martin (Esp) 72 66 67,

206 D Smyth (Irl) 67 68 71, C Mason (Eng) 66 69 71,

207 A Franco (Par) 71 71 65, G Turner (Nzl) 68 67 72, S Tinning (Den) 67 71 69, J Rivero (Esp) 69 70 68, C Williams (RSA) 63 73 71,

209 A Murray (Eng) 67 75 67, G Rusnak (USA) 67 71 71, P Fowler (Aus) 70 74 65, C Monasterio (Arg) 68 71 70, J Smith (USA) 69 69 71,

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219 P Walton (Irl) 73 72 74,

235 E Polland (Nir) 75 80 80