Denmark's Soren Hansen birdied the fourth play-off hole to win the Murphy's Irish Open in a thrilling four-man play-off at Fota Island.

The 28-year-old eagled the 18th in regulation holes to make sure of a place in a play-off with South African Darren Fichardt, England's Richard Bland and Swede Niclas Fasth.

Bland was eliminated at the 18th the second time around leaving the other three to go up the first.

All three made pars there before Hansen fired a four iron to 15 feet at the 17th and holed the putt to win his first European Tour title and pocket a cheque for ¤266,660.

Said Hansen: "It's been a long time coming but I've worked really hard for this one. After Anders Hansen's win in the Volvo PGA it's great to see a Hansen double. Now I hope I can take my game to a new level."

But the home fans will have to wait another year for an Irish winner, despite a final round charge by Padraig Harrington.

Harrington fired a five under par closing round of 66 to tie to sixth place on 10 under par.

He was joined by 49-year-old veteran Eamonn Darcy as leading Irishman later in the day.

'The Darce' birdied the last two holes for a closing 69 with Des Smyth the next best of the Irish on eight under par in 16th place.

Harrington went out in three under par thanks to birdies at the second, fifth and sixth.

And with the leaders still to go out he moved two within a shot lead with back to back birdies at the 10th and 11th before dropping a shot at the 17th.

"I was trying to chip in there but got the birdie at the last. It just didn't happen for me this week. You can't force it," said Harrington.

"Only one man can win with his B game and I haven't reached that level. I needed things to happen and they didn't happen for me on Saturday.

"I had 14 under in mind that 14 under but I lost this tournament on two holes in the third round when I lost my patience and got frustrated."

Darcy produced his best putting week of the year to tie with Harrington.

He said: I would have loved to finish as leading Irishman on my own but I played solid and three-putted just twice all week.

"Next week's Smurfit European Open is my swansong - my last event on the main tour before I try and qualify for the US Seniors Tour in November.

"I struggled in the wind with the putter today when it got very blustery out there and I got a bit shaky.

"Then I should have birdied 10. Hit a good drive, a bit to the left and hit a seven iron over the trees, short of the green. I could have putted it but chipped instead and it spun on me and I missed the putt from eight feet."

Three putts at the 13th sent him back to level for the day before his birdie--birdie finish.

After hitting a three iron to 10 feet at the 222 yard 17th and rolling in the putt, Darcy then hit a three wood and seven iron the home green for his fourth birdie of the day.

Des Smyth eagled the last for a two under par 69 and 16th place on eight under.

"It was a good week in the end," said Smyth. "The three at the finish was a nice way to finish the week.

"I played myself into position and sort of lost it on the back nine on Saturday but I sort of half expected it.

"I drove the ball quite well but I missed to many greens. Now it's on to the K Club, but it was nice to see my name back up on the board. It's nice to be in contention and I had a ball this week."

Dubliner Philip Walton carded a closing 72 to finish in 53rd on two under.

"I putted pretty badly today but I'm happy with the way I'm striking the ball," he said. "I'm looking forward to the K Club where hitting fairways and greens is important."

Top

© Brian Keogh 2002

Back