Chapman wins at 472nd attempt

England's Roger Chapman won the Rio de Janeiro 500 Years Open today, parring the second hole of a playoff with Ireland's Padraig Harrington.

Chapman, who won for the first time in 472 tournaments on the PGA European Tour, closed with a 7-under-par 65 to match Harrington at 18-under 270. Harrington shot a 70.

Despite being a member of the Tour's Millionaires Club, victory had eluded the 40-year-old in his 19-year Tour career, and last year he promised to celebrate in lavish fashion should he ever break that duck.

"I'd have one hell of a party," he said. "All the people who have supported me down the years, I'd invite them all. I'd probably have to hire out a restaurant.

"For someone who has tried for 18 years to win one, and then you do, it would be the ultimate. One day it will.

"Golf is my life. It's all I've ever wanted to do. I will not leave this tour until I win."

After finishing second on six occasions, most recently at the Moroccan Open in 1997, Chapman might have been expected to be resigned to a career without a title, but he insisted that he would continue to compete until the elusive victory came his way.

"I won't rest," he continued. "I won't feel that I have done anything until I have joined that club."

His form was so bad last year that he was forced to return to the Tour qualifying school to maintain his card for this season.

Both players bogeyed the first extra hole, with Chapman hitting his tee shot into the water and Harrington three-putting.

"I couldn't have lost to a nicer guy," Harrington said. "He has been out there for a long time and deserves it."

Argentina's Jose Coceres shot a 66 to finish third at 271.

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