A fine closing round gave Callum Shinkwin one of his best results on the European Tour yesterday.

Scores of 66, 71 and 67 had seen the Bushey golfer go into the final 18 holes in Brescia in a share of 23rd place, but the 25-year-old saved his best for last and fired a seven-under-par 64 to finish in a tie for eighth on 16-under, six shots behind winner Thorbjorn Olesen.

The Moor Park professional got off to a fast start with birdies at the par four first and third holes, but dropped back to 10-under for the tournament with a bogey four at the fifth. However, Shinkwin redeemed that shot with interest with an eagle at the par five seventh.

Last year’s Scottish Open runner-up made par on the next five holes but then pressed the accelerator again with a second eagle of the day on the par five 13th, a birdie three at 14 before picking up his final shot of the prestigious Rolex Series tournament at the par five 15th.

The result has moved the former English Amateur champion up to 78th in the Race to Dubai standings, while Moor Park club-mate Matt Wallace retained his place in the top 20 after finishing in a share of 51st in Italy.

The 28-year-old had shot a six-under-par 65 in the first round, but scores of 72 and 70 saw his challenge at the top end of the leader board fade before he closed with a two-under 69 yesterday.

The two-time European Tour winner initially struggled with three bogeys in the first six holes, but his fortunes began to turn with a birdie three at the ninth.

A rollercoaster back nine started with another birdie at the par four 11th, followed by a bogey four at 12 before that shot was immediately retrieved with a four on the 13th.

Wallace got his last 18 holes back to level par with a birdie four at the 15th, another shot was picked up with a three at the 16th before he made a two at the par four 17th to move to nine-under, only to slip back to minus-eight with a bogey five on 18.

Neither player had the opportunity for much rest though, as both are currently competing in US Open qualifying at Walton Heath.