Olazabal to continue comeback

EUROPEAN TOUR:Jose Maria Olazabal will fly to the US today to continue his comeback despite a closing 76 at the Andalucian Open.

The double Masters champion, who has been battling rheumatic pains, finished his first event for seven months in joint 61st position.

But Olazabal had described making the cut as "fabulous" and is in the entry list for the Houston Open which starts on Thursday.

Unless he has a serious setback in Texas, the 42-year-old will then go on to Augusta for the first major of the year.

"I struggled with my game all week long, but that was no surprise," he said. "I always said it will take a few weeks before I get some kind of feel.

"The pain is more bearable than earlier in the week, but still there.I take anti-inflammatories before I tee off and after massage and stretching it's pretty much okay. That's a good sign."

SENIOR TOUR:Australia's Stewart Ginn surged through the field to capture his maiden European Seniors Tour title with a two-shot win from England's Nick Job at the first Azores Senior Open yesterday.

Ginn, who hails from Melbourne but is based in Kuala Lumpur, started the day at Batalha Golf Club five shots off the lead held by Scotland's Martin Gray, but steadily set about reducing the deficit with five birdies en route to a round of 68.

As Gray's challenge faltered with a glut of bogeys and Job came unstuck with a three-putt on the final green when needing a birdie to take the tournament to extra holes, Ginn finally tasted victory after nine years of near misses.

The 59-year-old said: "I've finished second more times than I can remember, so it was just a case of getting over the line today.

"Sadly I won't be able to celebrate properly tonight, because I've got to catch an early flight tomorrow. But I'm sure I'll have a few drinks when I get home."

Job's round of 71 saw him finish the tournament on three under par, two shots clear of Argentina's Luis Carbonetti, Domingo Hospital of Spain, and Italy's Costantino Rocca.