The Final day at the British Masters.

David Morgan - Sunday, 9 May, 2004

A trio of ‘golden oldies’ was leading with the final round to go at the Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters. Monty was on the fringe of contention, playing without thinking of goals. From the final groups 22 players were within six shots of the lead held by Paul Broadhurst, playing a long Arden course in perfect conditions. No mistakes would be the requirement for the day plus taking advantage of any good approaches ….

The first star player to go out of contention was last year’s ‘63’ man, Ian Poulter, who took six at the 1st. Darren Clarke would birdie the 2nd but not the par five 3rd. The Ulsterman went 4, 2 at the 7th and 8th only to drop another shot at the 9th and then throw a hatful of birdies at the back nine .

Paul Casey had a bogey at the 3rd but eagled the 7th (and followed it up with a 2 at the next) and with more red numbers at the start of the back nine was still just too far back to threaten any of the trio of forty something’s who were all playing steadily, picking up a shot here and there.

From the early starter Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee broke 70 courtesy of a holed second at the 516 yard 17th. His four wood bounced once on the green then hoped straight into the cup for the first two on a par five on the European Tour this season, and the third such feat in the history of the British Masters.

Having started at –4, Anders Hansen was probably too far back to have a chance to win. Out in 35, he came home in 30, mainly courtesy of a huge eagle putt at the 17th. That would set a clubhouse target of –11, a score which was soon matched by Darren Clarke with a birdie birdie finish (including nearly winning a third Jaguar for his drive by being inches away from the wonderful nearest the pin prize on the 18th. Lee Westwood had a 151 for the final 36 to end up at just –1 whilst a more relaxed Colin Montgomerie close with a 71 and walked to the 18th with an appreciative smile on his face because of the especially warm welcome from the Warwickshire crowds.

The winning of the Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters was with a chip shot from Barry Lane at the 7th. He had joined Paul Broadhurst and Eduardo Romero at –12 with a two at the 5th and found the back of the 7th in two. The chip was perfect and gave him an impetus he would not let go of with another birdie at the 12th. That gain left him three clear of a chasing pack started by Hansen and Clarke, and including Romero and Patrick Sjoland.

Broadhurst was dropping back and Nick O’Hern came to the 17th, needing an eagle to go to –13 to put some pressure on the 499th Tour appearance by Barry Lane. The Australian could only manage a par – Angle Cabrera though was up to the task, hitting in a mid iron to 8ft an holing the eagle putt, just at the very moment that Barry Lane had missed another fairway on the back nine and found a horrible patch of rough.

The younger Argentinean had just taken over second place from his compatriot Romero when the 49 year old had bogied the 16th, the same hole on which Lane was now faced with a tournament losing dilemma. Taking a wedge, Lane found the front of the 16th green and then proceeded to hole the birdie putt to restore his two shot advantage.

Lane then found the fairway at the 17th and with a Romero birdie at the 17th, Lane was now two shots ahead of the two Argentineans – he still decided to go for the 17th in two after a splendid wood approach by Broadhurst, trying to recover a top three place and all the rewards that it would bring after a poor start to the back nine.

Lane cleared the water (just) on 17 and wedged to another birdie to complete his 10th Tour win, the 201st win by and Englishman and to break a duck after 252 Tour events. It was great play, endorsed by his playing partner Paul Broadhurst.

RESULTS

1 Barry Lane -16 Ł 266 660

2= Eduardo Romero -13 Ł 138 965

Angel Cabrera

4 Patrick Sjoland -12 Ł 80 000

5= Paul Broadhurst -11 Ł 52 960

Darren Clarke

Anders Hansen

Nick O’Hern

Of note

70= Gary Wolstenholme +7

Ryder Cup Points