Golf: Scahill falls off winning pace

SUTTON COLDFIELD - A poor start in the final round cost New Zealander Stephen Scahill any chance of pushing on for a win in the Benson and Hedges International Open yesterday.

Sharing a one-shot lead with England's Paul Casey and Irishman Padraig Harrington heading into the fourth round, Scahill carded a disappointing 76 at The Belfry to finish in a tie for third.

Scahill was five strokes behind winner Casey and one shot behind Harrington with a four-round 282. He shared third place with Rolf Muntz, of the Netherlands, and Britain's Paul Lawrie, a former British Open champion.

It was the third win for Casey, 25, in his short professional career and second this year, but yesterday's was easily the biggest, earning him a first-prize cheque of £183,330 ($508,280).

Scahill, who won $162,000, had eased himself into position for a first win on the main European Tour courtesy of a course record-equalling third round 65.

* David Toms ended a victory drought of almost two years yesterday, surviving a quadruple-bogey eight at the last to win the Wachovia championship in Charlotte by two shots.

The 2001 US PGA champion closed with a one-over 73 to finish at 10-under 278.

Despite his untidy performance at the 72nd hole, where he four-putted after hitting his drive into trees, the 36-year-old secured his eighth PGA Tour title and a cheque for US$1,008,000 ($1,733,000). Fiji's Vijay Singh fired a final-round 68 to share second place with Brent Geiberger (69) and Robert Gamez (70).

- AGENCIES