AS Ian Woosnam won his second European Tour event in eight days, Ireland's Paul McGinley completed a remarkably consistent weekend of golf to finish joint-second. Woosnam birdied the final hole in Perth to score a dramatic, one-shot victory in the Heineken Classic. McGinley shared second place with France's Jean Van De Velde.
The overnight leader with John Daly, Woosnam finished with a final round of 72 that put him on a four round total of 277, 11 under par. The win added $135,000 prize money to the $150,000 haul he won in Singapore last week.
McGinley took consolation from his performance, but was disappointed he didn't make the final breakthrough. "I am very disappointed," he said. "I had my chances and I didn't take them. Golf is a tough game, but you have to take it on the chin and get on with it - and that's what I will do. I am playing well enough at the moment to win. I just need a bit of luck."
McGinley, three-times a runner-up on the European Tour, was unfailingly consistent from tee to green, but wasted several birdie chances over the closing holes. His most costly mistake came at the 18th when he missed an eight-foot putt for a birdie that would have seen him round in 71 and lifted him to 11 under.
"It's unbelievable," said Woosnam. "I did not play some of the holes well today. The wind was a bit tricky today. I lost my concentration half way through. But I stuck to it."
Woosnam and McGinley were level on 10-under par going into the final hole. Van de Velde was just one shot behind. McGinley managed a par, Woosnam birdied.
"It is nice to be back in the groove again," said a smiling Woosnam, who was world number one for almost a year in 1991. "I have not played this well since 1991 when I last had back-to-back wins. It was especially brilliant to get my first win in Australia.
Woosnam said his return to top form had been helped by his close adviser, Yorkshireman Bill Ferguson.
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