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ZAANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) -- Ross Fisher birdied the final hole for a final-round 3-under-par 67 and survived a rules inquiry for moving a bramble on the 12th to win the Dutch Open by one stroke on Sunday for his first European Tour victory.

Ross Fisher became the 16th first-time winner in Europe this year. (Getty Images)

Fisher, who started the day tied for the lead with David Carter and Steve Alker, bogeyed Nos. 16 and 17 but sunk an 8-foot putt on the last to finish with a 12-under 268 and beat local hopeful Joost Luiten.

After avoiding the near complete collapse at the end, Fisher then had to endure the rules inquiry.

Tour officials investigated a report that Fisher had attempted to remove a root, but after returning to the 12th, the 26-year-old Englishman explained that he thought it was a loose impediment. When he discovered it was attached to a bush, he left it alone and tour officials deemed it did not improve his stance or swing. After a discussion which included a video review, the officials declared he did not break any rule.

"I feel very lucky and fortunate to be standing here as the winner," Fisher said. "The buggy ride to the 12th was the longest of my life and to stand there for 15-20 minutes looking at the footage was terrible."

Luiten closed with birdies on Nos. 16 and 18 for a 66.

Alker finished with a 71 to lead a group in third at 8-under 272 that also included Germany's Bernhard Langer (67), Alexander Noren of Sweden 68), France's Thomas Levet (69) and Scotland's Alastair Forsyth (66).

Carter, chasing his first title in nearly a decade, shot 75 to tie for 23rd.

Fisher became the 16th person to win for the first time on the European Tour this season. He shared the lead entering the final round of the European PGA Championship in May before shooting an 84 to finish 39th.