(Reuters) - Raphaël Jacquelin won the Open de Madrid by three strokes on Sunday despite a spirited challenge by former Open Champion Paul Lawrie of Scotland. Jacquelin’s first European Tour title in his 238th event came with a closing two under par 69 for a 23 under par four round total of 261 and a €166,660 first prize.
Lawrie, who began the day eight strokes behind the Frenchman, shot a 64 to finish three adrift at Club de Campo.
After ending a run of four second places, the last at this year’s Enjoy Jakarta Standard Chartered Indonesian Open, Jacquelin was given a traditional dousing in French champagne by his compatriot players, having never allowed Lawrie to get closer than three strokes.
When the 1999 Open winner chipped in for one of his seven birdies, Jacquelin admitted feeling the pressure – but he held off the Scot with two birdies in a composed back nine.
“It's just fantastic,” said Jacquelin, who had returned three rounds of 64 to lead the field by seven strokes going into the final round.
“I have waited so long for this. It was tough when Paul started to get close but I knew if could get some birdies on the back nine I could hang on.”
Jacquelin’s first success came the week after Englishman John Bickerton finally won at his 287th attempt when he took the Abama Open de Canarias title.
It was a timely win for Jacquelin. “My wife Fanny and I are expecting our second baby very soon, so this is a good present,” he said.
Lawrie, whose finish made sure of a Volvo Masters place, was happy with his challenge, saying: “Someone had to have a go but Raphaël had to make a few mistakes for me to have any chance, so good luck to him. He was so far ahead, second place seems like winning.”
While Jacquelin celebrated his maiden victory in style, The European Tour’s Order of Merit leader, Scotsman Colin Montgomerie, increased his lead at the head of the Order of Merit with just two weeks of the 2005 season remaining.
The 42 year old was determined to earn as much prize money as he could to extend his lead at the top of the Order of Merit over New Zealand’s US Open Champion Michael Campbell.
Despite a disappointing finale to his final round, where he missed three short putts en route to a five under 66, he picked up a cheque for €22,466 for a share of eighth place, and in the process, increased his lead over Campbell to €153,497.
At this stage of the season, every single Euro can be priceless, and Montgomerie’s work in the Spanish Capital could well make the difference in his bid to secure that eighth Order of Merit when he takes on Campbell at the season ending Volvo Masters in a fortnight’s time.
