Gronberg finds his form

Golf News round-upSweden's Mathias Gronberg held off a determined late charge from a reinvigorated Colin Montgomerie to win his fourth Tour title in the Italian Open.

Gronberg carded a final round 65 at Gardagolf for a 17-under-par total of 271 - two shots ahead of Montgomerie, Spain's Jose Manuel Lara and Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez.

Montgomerie and Lara also shot closing rounds of 65, the latter missing out on second place on his own after a bogey on the last, while overnight leader Gonzalez recorded a final-round 70.

Gronberg collected the winners' cheque for €180,000 and also his weight (91kg) in cheese, courtesy of one of the tournament sponsors.

"It feels absolutely great to win," said the 33-year-old, who had not tasted victory since January 2000. "I didn't really play that well from tee to green, but I managed to chip and putt really well to keep the round going.

"I got a putting tip from another Swedish player, Mattias Eliasson, after the second round which was very important. I'm sure I'll have to do something for him - maybe a share of the cheese!

"I had a really solid year in 2001, but three years in between victories is no fun. I want to win more often, but I just feel happy to have won again."

Philip Walton finished best of the Irish on 282 after a final round of 70. Damien McGrane finished on 287 after a 72.

Meanwhile, on the Champions Tour in the US, Tom Jenkins shot a five-under-par 67 yesterday to capture the Bruno's Memorial Classic title in Alabama. It was his fourth victory on the Tour.

Jenkins total of 16-under-par 200 left him three clear of the 2000 Irish Seniors Open Champion Bruce Fleisher. A disappointing final nine holes proved costly for Des Smyth as he slipped to a share of 20th place. Birdies at the first and ninth took him to the turn in two under-par 34 and six-under-par for the tournament, but the homeward journey was more difficult.

Dropped shots at the 10th, 13th, 15th and 17th to just two birdies at the 11th and 14th saw him back in 38 for his second successive 72 and a three-round total of 212 - 12 shots behind the winner Jenkins.