MILAN, 9 May 2005 — Briton Steve Webster ended a 10-year wait for his first European Tour title when he won the Italian Open by three strokes yesterday. After five second places since turning professional in 1995, Webster broke his duck with a closing four-under-par 68 for an 18 under four-round aggregate.
Britons Bradley Dredge and Richard Finch and Denmark’s Anders Hansen tied for second.
The 30-year-old Englishman needed a strong finish after Hansen moved alongside him at the top of the leaderboard coming home. The Dane, winner of the prestigious European PGA Championship in 2002, fell short though with his 66.
Birdie Blitz Fires Garcia Into Six-Shot Lead
In Charlotte, N.C., Spain’s Sergio Garcia enjoyed a sizzling finish to surge six shots clear of the field at the $5.6 million Wachovia Championship after carding a third round five-under 67 on Saturday. Garcia, who has held the lead at the Quail Hollow Club since the opening round, made the best possible start to the day with a birdie at the par-four first.
The late charge gave Garcia a healthy cushion over Americans D.J. Trahan and Jim Furyk and world No. 2 Vijay Singh.
South Africa’s Nick Price is one shot further adrift after carding a three-under 69.
