Fulke wins title Clarke heads money list

Darren Clarke is poised to end Colin Montgomerie's seven-year domination of European golf after a second place to Pierre Fulke at the Volvo Masters on Sunday.

Even though Fulke tapped in at the last to win, Clarke now leads the European Order of Merit with just one tournament remaining, at Valderrama next week.

Monty, winner for the past seven years, is a distant sixth - but would have to win in Spain and hope his rivals finish well down the field. Also in the running for the crown are Michael Campbell and Lee Westwood, who tied for third here, and Ernie Els.

While Fulke shot a final round of 67 for a tournament-winning 16-under-par, Clarke, who began the day tied for the lead with Fulke on 11-under, saw his chances disappear after a wayward tee-shot at the 17th.

However the crowd was treated to some outstanding golf in its closing stages as Clarke and Fulke duelled it out over holes dominated by water features.

With Clarke one ahead at the 16th, Fulke turned the pressure back on to the Ulsterman by holing a wonderful 35-foot putt for eagle. Clarke was left with a putt about half that distance for birdie, which he duly holed to pull back level with Fulke at 16-under-par.

Pierre Fulke shows off his Volvo Masters Trophy. Allsport.

It was golf of the highest standard at a time of unbearable tension, and that sequence of events effectively ruled out Campbell, in the clubhouse on 13-under after a course record-equalling 63, and Westwood, who recovered so well from a disastrous first day to also finish on 13-under after his second consecutive 65.

However the tension in Clarke’s shoulders began to show on the 17th, as the cries of ‘Fore left’ sounded out following his tee-shot. With a difficult lie and ball below his feet, the 31-year-old could only help the ball up the left side of the fairway. With Fulke on the fairway off the tee, he was able to plant his second onto the middle of the green, taking out any risk of the water at the front of the putting surface.

He two putted for a par, but Clarke was unable to save par, leaving the Swede one shot ahead with just the 18th to play.

After hitting the green in two, he knocked his first putt stone dead to leave Clarke needing a birdie to take the tournament into extra-time, but he missed high of the hole and Fulke was victorious.

"I made a poor swing on the 17th, but Pierre played great down the stretch," conceded Clarke.

"I did expect him to show some signs of tension, but he was very impressive. The closing holes are intimidating to play, and to play them in the manner in which he did means he deserved to win."

Fulke, who has won just twice before on tour, said: "The five-wood on to the 16th was one of the best shots I've ever hit. I just really wanted to win this tournament so badly."

Campbell was clubhouse leader until Clarke and Fulke came home. Beginning the day at four-under and seven shots off the lead, Campbell opened the day with a dropped shot at the last, before putting together a round that included eight birdies and an eagle to beat Monty’s final score of 12-under.

"I started badly but all of a sudden I went berserk," said the New Zealander.

A final round of 70 left Nick Faldo on three-under for the tournament and means he will miss the season-ending American Express world championship this week. He needed to finish in the top two here to qualify for the £3.5million tournament at Valderrama.

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