Monty's collapse lets in Parnevik
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Your support makes all the difference.For the second time in just over a year, Jesper Parnevik beat Europe's undisputed No 1 golfer by a handsome five shots. The result of last year's Scandinavian Masters was replicated at the Lancome Trophy yesterday, but the Swede's pounds 108,330 prize did not give him the perfect platform for a Ryder Cup campaign.
By playing in America, Parnevik refuses to commit himself to a full season in Europe and will have to rely on one of Seve Ballesteros's wild cards to appear in Spain next September. A year ago he was overlooked by Bernard Gallacher, but Ballesteros may find it harder to do. This victory was preceded by three top 10 finishes in his last four events in the United States.
Parnevik withstood an early onslaught from Colin Montgomerie and then watched as Montgomerie , a man capable of extraordinary heights (see last week in the Swiss mountains) plunged to one of his equally spectacular collapses (see numerous). Parnevik made up seven shots in 10 holes from the sixth as Montgomerie struggled to hold off Ross Drummond by a shot for second place.
"I opened the door for Jesper and he walked straight through," Montgomerie said. "But all credit to him. I have not changed my mind about him since Sweden. We cannot go to Valderrama, cannot, cannot go to Valderrama without him."
Parnevik said: "I hope this impresses Seve, but I thought my win last year would impress Bernard Gallacher. It is just nice to win one of the big tournaments in Europe against one of the best fields."
Following his 18-under-par effort last weekend in winning the European Masters, Montgomerie birdied the first five holes yesterday. He holed from 7ft, 12 and 20ft three times, but the 31-year-old Parnevik has a stern composition and matched the three at the fourth and fifth.
The Scot's two-shot lead was wiped out by finding sand at the sixth and then water at the next. He missed a birdie chance at the 11th, where Parnevik did not, and three bogeys in a row from the 13th confirmed an extraordinary collapse. Parnevik picked up his fifth birdie at the 14th and his 66, 67 weekend scores eclipsed Montgomerie's 66, 71. The Scot's pounds 72,210 prize extended his money list advantage over Ian Woosnam, who finished with a 73 for seventh place, to pounds 115,350.
n The leading players could be playing for new world titles in stroke play, match play and team play from 1999, following a meeting of the American, European and other tours. The spport's governing bodies have formed the PGA Tours International Federation to oversee at least three world championship events organised so as to enhance existing tour schedules and ensure the major tournaments retain their status.
n A closing round of 67 helped Laura Davies to a 47th career victory and retain her title at the English Open at The Oxfordshire. A 15-under- par 273 left Davies four strokes clear of Sweden's Helen Alfredsson.
Final scores, Digest, Page 19
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