PHILIP WALTON had a big hand in the latest European newcomer's victory yesterday, even though he finished 30th behind new Czech Open champion John Lomas. It was the Irish Ryder cup golfer's long handled putter that the 28 year old Lomas used to secure seven last round birdies in a 66 for a 12 under par total of 272 that gave him his first tournament win. Swede Daniel Chopra was second Spaniard Domingo Hospital was third after a 67 for 274.

Lomas was given the club by Walton at the Cannes Open this year, after deciding to forsake his orthodox club because of too many bouts of three putting. "I was missing far too many birdie chances after good iron play so went to Philip for help and advice and he gave me his putter," he said. "It took me some time to get over my embarrassment but I reasoned that as Philip and Sam Torrance had played with it in the Ryder Cup I should not worry too much about what others thought."

Yesterday the club was the most important in his bag as the 1994 Rookie of the Year collected six birdies in the first 15 holes to create his winning chance. But it had a rival in the wedge he used from a flying lie in the light rough at the 18th to clinch a win worth £125,000.

Lomas hit his approach from 30 yards within a foot of the flag for the birdie three that gave him the added bonus of a place in the England team for the Alfred Dunhill Cup in October along with Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood.

It was much more than the Derbyshire born Lomas who grew up in the Shropshire area that produced Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam, had dared to hope for after contracting severe sciatica pain in both legs during the 1994 Open at Turnberry.

It has been worrying me for the last two years but my doctor said it was like tennis elbow in the back and would eventually go, he said. "He wads right and if began to ease in Italy this year, although for a long while I was worried whether I had a future in the game."

Walton signed off with a 68, for two under par 282, but it might have been even better. He tossed away a stroke at the driveable par four 10th by hitting his tee shot into trees from where it rebounded on to a rutted path way. Then he overshot the green and fluffed his return chip. He also three putted the 313 yards 15th after getting on the green with a driver, and failed to make birdies from close range putts at the 14th and 17th.

I had the chance to shoot 64 or 65, "said the Malahide professional who is taking a rest from next week's German Open in Stuttgart, and may also decide to pass up the first tournament in the Ryder Cup qualifying series, the British Masters at Collingtree.

His wife Suzanne is expecting their third child that week, and Walton says "I would like to be at home for that. In any case the Collingtree course is not one of my favourite venues." Walton set up the prospect of a low score by getting out in 31, with the aid of a trio of birdie threes. He wedged to eight and three feet at the fourth and filth, and holed from 12 feet at the uphill seventh. But his only other birdie came when he got home with two woods at the long 11th.

He won £6,182 as did David Higgins, the young Waterville professional who is battling to gain his card for the 1997 season. Higgins had three birdies in the first four inward holes and went on to a 70 which took his earnings for the season to £43,733. He has won a place in this week's German Open, and has also gained an invitation to the British Masters. He is hopeful of further outings in the European Masters and European Open.

Paul McGinley tailed away with a 75 for 290, to end at six over par in 58th place.