Sterne clinches maiden title with 65

South African Richard Sterne earned his 2005 European Tour playing rights in the best possible way on Sunday 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. He was the Tour's 16th first time winner this season.

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.

"I began the day knowing if I shot a 72 or 73 it would have been back to tour school," said Sterne, who paid tribute to his caddie and former Eisenhower Trophy team mate Dean Lambert for helping him through.

"I knew I was better than that," he added. "It was my goal a couple of weeks ago to get myself in contention on the last day and I've pulled it off.

"I knew a top-12 would have been good enough but I knew I could do better than that."

Ballesteros, promoter of the event, said: "It's an outstanding achievement because there was double pressure for him. It's unbelievable and he must be very proud."

As well as his bagman, Sterne dedicated his win to his former amateur manager in Northern Transvaal, Mike Cheyne, who died last week.

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 whose 67 earned him a debut in next week's elite Volvo Masters at the age of 43.

Unlike Sterne, there was dismay for three others making last-ditch bids for cards.

Swede Johan Edfors, whose ball was suspected of being stolen by a spectator on the 18th on Saturday when he shared the lead, got himself into second place with only four holes to go.

But an unlucky ricochet into trees on the 15th began his slide down the leaderboard to end up only in ninth place when he had needed to finish second.

Spain's Ivo Giner's hopes ran up a triple-bogey on the fifth to finish joint sixth when he too needed at least second place.

Britain's Jamie Spence looked a sure bet to move to safety but a closing 70 doomed the tournament committee chairman to Tour school as well as he stayed in 121st place.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page