Mikko Ilonen cards four birdies to beat Henrik Stenson in World Match Play final

Finland's professional golfer Mikko Ilonen carded four birdies in a bogey-free round to beat world number five Henrik Stenson 3 and 1 and win the World Match Play at the London Club in Kent.

World number 52 Ilonen sealed the biggest win of his career against Stenson, who was three down after 12 and birdied 13. The Finnish then holed a 12-footer to go three up with four to play.

The Swedish Ryder Cup player pulled one back but was unable to do any more as Ilonen sealed it on the 17th, The BBC reported.

Ilonen, who takes his fifth win on the European Tour, said that the game plan was not to make any mistakes, as one can't afford those with Stenson. He said that he felt really comfortable going into the final, adding that he felt like he had a good chance of beating Stenson and he did.

Stenson, who won the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai last year but is still searching for his first tournament victory of 2014, said that he exceeded his expectations for the week. He added that he didn't play his best, was unlucky on a couple of putts but the best player won.

Stenson had earlier won his semifinal against South Africa's George Coetzee on the final hole, while Ilonen defeated Dutchman Joost Luiten 2 and 1, the report added.