Golf: Goosen proves worthy of merit

Retief Goosen was crowned European No 1 yesterday, but needed three sudden-death holes to beat England's Steve Webster for the Madrid Open title.

South African Goosen repeated his nervous finish on the way to winning the US Open in June, bogeying the final hole to allow Webster to force a playoff with the pair locked on 20-under totals of 264.

On his way to a closing three-under 68, Goosen missed three short putts to give his playing partner heart, and the 25-year-old Englishman took full advantage by carding a 66.

Webster missed a five-footer at the first playoff hole and when Goosen at last found his putting touch by holing from 10 feet for birdie on the third extra hole, Webster was forced to settle for second place.

Goosen led the field by two strokes going into the final round, and even though his playing partner twice caught him, he held a one-stroke lead going to the last.

On winning the playoff, Goosen added the $US200,000 ($490,400) first prize to his year's winnings to put Darren Clarke, his only rankings rival, out of sight.

"This is my 10th season and to be the best in Europe is unbelievable because there are some great players out there," Goosen said.

"Obviously, winning the order of merit was helped greatly by the US Open title, but it's been a dream year."

England's Brian Davis surged to a final-round 62 to claim a share of third place with Spain's Diego Borrego.

In Pine Mountain, Georgia, Chris DiMarco captured the Buick Challenge title after he parred the first hole of a sudden-death playoff and then watched defending champion David Duval miss his par attempt.

Duval, looking for his first win since the British Open in July, matched the lowest final round of the US PGA Tour season with a nine-under 63 to force the playoff.

The pair ended the regulation 72 holes tied on 267, 21 under par.

On the first extra hole - the par-four 18th - Duval was long with his approach and pushed a chip shot eight feet past the pin.

DiMarco left a 15ft birdie putt just short and tapped in for par.

When Duval's 8ft attempt to force a second extra hole missed to the left, DiMarco hugged his caddying brother Mitch and broke down in tears.

DiMarco, 33, who has had a series of near-misses this year, with three top-three finishes but no victories, picked up $US612,000 ($1,500,735) for his second career title.

He moves up to 11th place on the money list, with earnings of nearly $US2.5 million.

- AGENCIES