José Maria Olazábal won the Benson and Hedges International Open for the second time after a final round of 66, six under par, gave him a three-shot winning margin over Welshman Phillip Price.
With third round leader Padraig Harrington sensationally disqualified after an error was discovered with his first round scorecard, it was left to Olazábal and Price to battle it out for the title.
Starting the final round tied on seven under par, the two matched each other blow for blow on the outward half on the re-vamped Brabazon course at DeVere The Belfry. Both birdied the second, Olazábal edged ahead with another birdie on the third but Price pulled it back to level with a birdie on the sixth. With both players dropping a shot on the eighth and then birdieing the ninth they remained neck and neck at the turn.
But the 1999 Masters Champion pulled two clear when his tee shot to the short 12th hit the flag before finishing just a couple of feet away to set up a birdie two while Price bogeyed. Price, second twice already this year, hit straight back with successive birdies on the next two holes to level the scores on ten under par. Again the Spaniard responded with another birdie on the 15th and then increased his lead to two with a magnificent eagle on the 17th.
A solid four on the last gave Olazábal a winning total of 275, 13 under par, three ahead of Price who finished with a bogey for a 69. It was Olazábal’s first title since his Masters victory last year and the second time he had lifted the Benson and Hedges International Open trophy following his victory at St Mellion ten years ago.
“I had my doubts at the start of the day but played very well,” said Olazábal. “I started the day more concerned about my score but around the turn it became a match play situation. Both of us had the same score and nobody had made a move from behind. We both knew it was between the two of us.
“The 17th was crucial but I can’t forget I made a good putt on the 16th. But the eagle on the 17th gave me a two shot cushion playing the last.”
Andrew Coltart and Jose Coceres finished in a share of third after rounds of 66 and 67 respectively.
