Six birdies clinch title for Goosen

South Africa's Retief Goosen made it three French victories in four years when he clinched the Lancome Trophy on Sunday by one stroke.

Goosen added the trophy to his 1997 and 1999 French Open titles when his closing four-under-par 67, with a salvo of six birdies in nine holes, took him to 13-under-par 271.

He finished a shot ahead of New Zealand's Michael Campbell and Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland to notch his fourth European Tour title.

There was disappointment though for Germany's Alex Cejka, who began the final round two shots ahead of the field.

An immediate double-bogey let in his playing-partner Goosen, who built up a three-shot lead with six birdies in nine holes from the fourth.

A closing 71 containing another double-bogey on the 14th, left Cejka a share of fourth place, two shots adrift of Goosen, with U.S. Masters champion Vijay Singh of Fiji.

"I don't know what it is about France, but I obviously like winning here," said Goosen. "The good thing about it, though, is that I've now won on three different courses.

"My birdie run put me in control but then Alex came back and Darren and Cambo (Campbell) kept me on my toes right to the end.

"It's nice to be back in the order of merit reckoning because it's been a poor eight months.

"If I can do well in the big money events left I'm not completely out of touch with the order of merit leaders.

"There were a few things which caused me to lose a bit of interest, like needing four different caddies in four weeks.

"But I'm enjoying it out on the course again with my new caddy Greg Hearman, working out in the gym again and being interested in winning again."

Goosen's win left Europe's Ryder Cup aspirants having to settle for second best again in the second qualifying event for next year's match with the U.S., after Argentine Eduardo Romero won in Switzerland last week.

Clarke, who hit a final-round 68, took comfort from his joint runner-up spot after last week's third place. He went top of the European points list and consolidated his lead in the European rankings.

Campbell's closing 67 avoided him having to pay double on a bet with the winner.

"Cambo and I had 'double or quits' on my 600 pounds Ferrari hood from the day before, so he saved himself money," said Goosen. He is handing over the hood to the New Zealander, who has just bought himself a similar sports car to the one the South African has sold.

"Considering how badly I hit the ball this week, it was fantastic to finish second," said Clarke, who is on a bonus of one million dollars from his sponsors if he can clinch four wins this year to become the European number one for the first time.

Britain's Lee Westwood was kicking himself after finding the pond on the last to double-bogey and slip to a share of seventh place, four behind Goosen.

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