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Goosen coasts to three shot win

Retief Goosen turned in an even- par 71 to finish at 16-under 268 and capture the Scottish Open in wire-to- wire fashion Sunday. The U.S. Open champion finished three strokes ahead of Thomas Bjorn who posted a 67 to finish at 13-under 271.

This is Goosen's second win in 2001 and sixth for his career.

"It's great for my confidence coming here this week and winning," he said. "I think if people say I was lucky winning [the U.S. Open] then maybe I proved myself a little bit this week in what was a pretty strong field."

Goosen has been on a tear heading into British Open. He has finished in the top six four straight weeks, including a wire-to-wire victory at the U.S. Open.

He was not as perfect as he was over the first three rounds en route to the victory but was never threatened by any of his closest challengers. The South African had two birdies on the front nine to move to 18-under and extend his lead to five strokes before settling for a streak of pars.

His only mistakes came on the last two holes. Goosen found a bunker for first time this weekend and took a bogey on 17th, and then did the same on the 18th to fall back to 16-under.

Bjorn ended his final round with four birdies in five holes from the 10th to finish in second place for the second consecutive week.

"I didn't really get close," he said. "Retief played fantastic and you have to take your hat off to him - he is on a real confidence high, although for me it was nice to shoot four rounds under 70."

Four players finished in a tie for third at 12-under including John Daly. This is Daly's best finish since winning the British Open in 1995.

"This has been a good week," said Daly, who finished at 272. "I had my chances, but I couldn't get anything going."

The American shot a 70 to close the tournament alongside England's Barry Lane (68), Paul McGinley of Ireland (70), and 20-year-old Australian Adam Scott (72).

Scott picked up one of the 15 remaining spots for next week's British Open.

"I got one job done getting into the Open and maybe I've moved up a couple of spots on the Order of Merit," he said. "So two good things have come out of the week but I have to work on my game, it is just not holding up when I get into contention." McGinley had a chance to share second with Bjorn but bogeyed the 18th to finish with his 70.

Michael Hoey, the British Amateur champion, turned in best the round of the day with a 64 after birdieing seven of the first nine holes and playing at even par over final stretch.

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