Garrido takes first step in filling father's shoes

A PLAYER who might become a life-long rival for Padraig Harrington scored a significant victory in the 25th anniversary Hassan II Trophy at Royal Dar Es Salam yesterday.

Spaniard Ignacio Garrido had a final round of 70 for a 13-under-par total of 279 to win by two shots from Nick Price and Wayne Westner, with France's Marc Farry in fourth place.

Harrington, who closed with a 75 for a seven-over-par total of 299, ended in 16th place on his first appearance in the event.

Garrido, a 24-year-old from Madrid, is the son of Antonio Garrido, who shares with Seve Ballesteros, the Ryder Cup captain, the distinction of being the first Continental players to appear against the US in 1979.

Garrido junior first made his mark in Britain when he was a runaway winner of the English Amateur Strokeplay championship four years ago while he was on leaven from the Spanish Army. Twice a winner on the Challenge Tour and runner-up for last year's Spanish Open, yesterday he achieved his first professional success in the grand manner by holing from 15 feet for a birdie on the last green, after Price's short game had let him down badly in the closing stages.

The Zimbabwean dropped shots at three of the last four holes, three-putting the 15th, then chipping poorly from the edge of the last two greens. "About the only thing I did well was to drive straight," said Price, who was aiming to become only the third double winner of the tournament. Only Billy Casper (1973-75) and Payne Stewart (1992-93) have achieved the feat.

Garrido said: "To play with Nick Price and a former Masters champion, Craig Stadler, and beat them both was a big test for me. He never expected Nick to present me with such a chance, but when he did I took it well and stood up to the pressure."

Harrington, this year's Spanish Open champion, was never able to get into contention after an opening 75. Although he improved on the next two days, clipping a stroke off his card on each occasion, he could not do so again on the final day.

"I enjoyed my first visit to this tournament and it is an excellent golf course," he said, "but I have a Jot of work to do on my game before next week's World Cup.

Harrington will spend two days with his coach, Howard Bennett, at Newark this week before heading out to South Africa to team up with Darren Clarke in a bid to give Ireland their second Vi&tory. The only other success came from Christy O'Connor and Harry Bradshaw in 1958.

If Harrington and Clarke can beat the rest of the world it would probably tip the Rookie of the Year award in the former's favour. His chief rival, Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, also plays in the Republic, as does Garrido. "I am hoping that adrenalin will keep me going for the World Cup," Harrington said, "and then all I will do is practice before having a holiday in December."