Paolo Ferraris wins Portuguese International Amateur

PALMELA, Portugal — Italian Paolo Ferraris, 21, was crowned winner of the 85th International Amateur Championship of Portugal, succeeding in the history of champions to his compatriot Renato Paratore. Peter Lencart, only 14 years rose from 32 to 29th place and was the only Portuguese player to make the cut of the 12 who started at Hotel & Golf Resort in Palmela. Ferraris shot rounds of 70-67-68 to claim his second European Golf Association title, winning last year at the International Championship of Turkey. This year's event was shortened to just 54 holes, with the third round having to be cancelled due to weather.   "I do not know exactly how important this title is likely to have in my career, but I think it is very important because it is the first major victory that I have," he said.  One of the best kept secrets of Ferraris' victory was his caddy, one of the two coaches of the Italian national team, Federico Bisazza. "My coach was a very important caddy," he said. Christoffer Bring of Denmark took second place, mostly due to an opening-round 65. He shot 72-70 in the final two days to snag the runner-up spot by a stroke over Edgar Catherine of France. Second-round leader Ashley Chesters, the 2014 European Amateur champion from England, shot 74 on the final day and finished in a tie for sixth.