Woosnam stays with winning feel

Ian Woosnam claimed his second European Tour title in succession when he won the Heineken Classic, Australia's richest tournament, in Perth yesterday.

He missed the cut on his only previous visit to the tight Vines course two years ago but shot a 72 yesterday for an 11-under total of 277.

Woosnam, winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Singapore last week, birdied the final hole to beat Irishman Paul McGinley and Jean Van de Velde, of France, by one stroke.

"It's an unbelievable feeling to win back-to-back tournaments. The past two weeks make up for the last 12 months," said Woosnam, whose triumph in Singapore was his first for 16 months.

"This makes up for last time. I never thought I would be able to play well around here because I find it a very tough course." He had rounds of 81 and 78 when missing the cut in 1994.

Woosnam, the 1991 US Masters champion, secured his victory with a superb six-iron to 10 feet that set up an eagle opportunity at the par-five 18th. The diminutive Ryder Cup veteran then rolled his putt stone dead.

John Daly, who shared the overnight lead with Woosnam on 11 under, fell out of contention with a wayward 76. The Open champion, who left his driver in the bag throughout the four rounds, struggled for accuracy off the tee with his one-iron.

"This is the best I've played since 1991," said Woosnam, referring to when he was world No 1 for a spell. "It's great to be back in the groove."

His final round was a mixed bag, spiced with four birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey. But it was good enough to earn him his 29th European Tour win and a cheque for pounds 90,000.

The Welshman said relaxation and an occasional beer with friends had proved more successful than exercise in treating a long-standing back complaint. "The doctor told me to take it easy and that suits me just fine. Nowadays I treat every round as a bonus," he said.

McGinley, three-times a runner-up on the European Tour, was consistent from tee to green but wasted several birdie chances over the closing holes.

His most costly mistake came at the 18th when he missed an eight-foot putt for a birdie that would have seen him round in 71 and lifted him to 11 under with Woosnam. Van de Velde, who remained a threat throughout the day, birdied the last to share second place. He also shot 72.

HEINEKEN CLASSIC (Perth, Aus) Leading final scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 277 I Woosnam 69 71 65 72. 278 P McGinley 69 68 69 72; J Van de Velde (Fr) 72 67 67 72. 280 S Ginn 72 72 66 70 (Aus). 281 J Daly (US) 71 67 67 76; A Painter 70 73 72 66 (Aus); R Green (Aus) 70 74 70 67. 282 B Hughes (Aus) 69 70 74 69; D Robertson 70 67 76 69; M Roberts (Aus) 70 72 69 71; D Fardon (Aus) 69 72 69 72; W Smith (Aus) 66 68 75 73. 283 C Parry (Aus) 72 69 74 68; A Sherborne 70 72 70 71; R Pampling (Aus) 69 69 72 73; R Gibson (Can) 67 73 69 74. 284 S Laycock (Aus) 69 73 73 69; S Richardson 70 69 75 70; G Norman (Aus) 73 68 75 68; G Turner (NZ) 66 74 74 70; M Goggin (Aus) 70 71 72 71; D Clarke 73 71 69 71; R Boxall 70 73 67 74; G Dodd (Aus) 74 68 69 73.