MADRID, 25 October 2004 — South African Richard Sterne earned his 2005 European Tour playing rights in the best possible way yesterday when he won the Madrid Open by two shots.
Sterne’s maiden European success came with a closing six-under-par 65 that left him clear of Dane Anders Hansen on 18-under-par 266.
The 23-year-old received the winner’s trophy from Spanish five-time major champion Severiano Ballesteros still dazed with his success after coming to Madrid just to try to keep his card. He stood 122nd on Europe’s money-list with only this week left to get into the top 115 certain to have cards for 2005.
But Sterne did better than that as he clinched the $207,000 first prize in his second year on the European Tour. The Pretoria youngster with a glowing amateur record began the final round a stroke off the lead but took control with an eagle at the fourth and never looked back.
After the joint overnight leaders, Sterne’s fellow South African Darren Fichardt and Briton Paul Broadhurst, faded, Hansen moved in for his best result since winning the 2002 Volvo PGA Championship. The Dane carded a 66 to finish a stroke in front of Australian Terry Price.
Singh Turns Up Heat on Joint Leaders Lehman, Baird
In Orlando, Florida, world No. 1 and defending champion Vijay Singh was stalking joint leaders Tom Lehman and Briny Baird after the third round of the $4.2 million Funai Classic at the Walt Disney Resort on Saturday.
Former British Open champion Lehman shot a five-under-par 67 while overnight leader Baird carded a 68 as both players finished on 17-under 199, one stroke ahead of Scott Verplank (65).
Cameron Beckman was in fourth place on 201, with Singh, Tim Clark of South Africa, Mark Calcavecchia and Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy all on 202, 14 under.
After cramming eight birdies in his seven-under 65, Singh said he fancied his chances of pulling off a fourth successive victory.
