Rumford wins European Masters

Omega European Masters:Australian Brett Rumford birdied the first play-off hole to claim his third European Tour title in dramatic fashion in the Omega European Masters today.

Rumford chipped in from off the 18th green to beat England's Phillip Archer after the pair had finished tied on 16 under par at Crans-sur-Sierre.

Archer's approach had also run through the green but the 35-year-old from Warrington — who carded a closing 65 — was unable to match Rumford's feat and had to settle for his second runners-up finish of the season.

Rumford had led by one with two holes to play but bogeyed the 17th, just as Archer had done 20 minutes earlier.

The 30-year-old from Perth, winner of the St Omer Open in 2003 and Irish Open in 2004, had a birdie putt from 15ft to win in regulation but failed to convert, giving defending champion Bradley Dredge a chance to make it a three-way play-off.

However, Dredge missed from a similar distance to finish third on 15 under par, one ahead of fellow Welshman Sion Bebb who enjoyed his best ever finish on the European Tour with a closing 68.

Rumford, second in the New Zealand Open at the start of the year, said: "It was tracking all the way and I thought it was coming up short but the breeze took it in.

"You are just suspended there for that brief second in anticipation but there is nothing going through your mind but 'Get in'.

"My short game has pulled me through this week. After Seve Ballesteros'
redesign the course is very tricky, especially when the greens are firm in the afternoon.

Archer, who also closed with a 65 to finish second behind Lee Westwood in the Andalucia Open in May, was philosophical in defeat.

"I hit three good shots in the play-off and lost, you can't do anything about that," he said.

"I know Brett has one of the best short games out there and knew it would be close and it went straight in the middle.

"Every credit to him. He played well all week and is a worthy winner. Hopefully it will be my turn soon. I am playing well but somebody has to win and he hit a great chip, dead weight and straight in the middle."

Dredge was also not too downbeat despite starting the day tied for the lead with Rumford in defence of the title he won by eight shots last year.

"I can't complain as it has been a good week but it would have been nice to have holed one or two more putts and get into the play-off," he said.

"Hopefully I have sealed my place in the Seve Trophy (qualification ends next Sunday), I was very aware of that before the weekend and I was pleased to have put in a decent performance even though I didn't win."

Biggest surprise of the week was the performance of Bebb, who collected £67,647 for fourth place, £14,000 more than he had earnt in his European Tour career before the start of this season.

The 38-year-old only gained full playing rights on the European Tour from his 11th visit to the qualifying school last November and still faces a 12th visit despite moving from 209th on the Order of Merit inside the top 150. Only the top 115 at the end of the season retain their cards.

England's Oliver Wilson, one off the lead overnight, had to settle for fifth place after a closing 71, and revealed afterwards numerous items had been stolen from his golf bag.