Davis makes capital as Webster blows up

GOLF:  Briton Brian Davis won his second European Tour title when a closing seven-under-par 65 clinched the ANZ Championship yesterday.

Davis, who won the 2000 Peugeot Open of Spain, finished with three consecutive birdies to gain +17 points for his round and an overall total of +44 in the modified stableford event co-sanctioned by the Australasian and European tours.

Defending champion Paul Casey of Britain was second on +43 points after he also fired a 65 at the Horizons Golf Resort near Newcastle, about 200 kilometres north of Sydney.

France's Thomas Levet and Australian pair Nick Flanagan, a 19-year-old amateur, and Scott Gardiner were equal third on +39 points.

Britain's Steve Webster blew his five-point overnight lead as a five-over-par 77 dropped him down to joint sixth on +37 points alongside Australian Nick O'Hern.

Ireland's two representatives finished in mid-pack.

Dubliner Peter Lawrie scored 10 points on the final day to finish on +30 and shared 31st place.

Graeme McDowell of Portrush scored nine points yesterday for a total of +29.

Davis (29), notched 10 birdies and three bogeys in his final round. "I can't putt any better than that. That was unbelievable," he told reporters. "Today I rolled the ball beautifully. I had three bogeys but my main goal today was just to go out there and make as many birdies as I can and see where I finish."

Under the modified stableford system used for the tournament, players received eight points for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie, none for a par, minus one for a bogey and minus three for a multiple bogey.

Davis, who started the day 12 points behind Webster, went into the clubhouse with a three-point advantage.

Webster had four holes to play and Casey was on the 17th.

Casey (26), missed a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-four 18th and had to settle for a birdie.

"I'm frustrated because I missed makeable putts at 14, 15, 16 and 17 and then missed eagle at the last," he said. "I hit a great shot on the 18th with a three wood but screwed up the easy part."

Webster three-putted for a bogey five on the 17th and needed an eagle at the 18th to win.

But his tee shot went out of bounds and he put his second attempt in the water, taking a double-bogey six as Davis spoke to family members on his mobile telephone to celebrate his success.

Webster was seeking his maiden European Tour victory after finishing second four times.

Britain's Laura Davies, the first woman to compete in an Australasian or European men's tour event, missed the cut on Friday after rounds of 75 and 83.