IAN WOOSNAM was declared the winner of the Volvo German Open in Stuttgart yesterday after three violent storms washed out the fourth round at the Nippenburg club.
The first caused a suspension of play for 45 minutes the second for just over an hour and the third flooded bunkers and greens. This led to the abandonment after three hours in which officials deliberated whether it was practical to continue or whether the course was fit to play.
The decision to curtail the event to 54 holes left Woosnam, who had reached 20 under par after his third round 65 on Saturday, a six-stroke winner with his record-equalling total of 193. Second were Germany's Thomas Gogele, England's lain Pyman, Spaniard Fernando Roca and Swede Robert Karlsson.
Ronan Rafferty, who had scored 66 for an 11 under par 202, was the leading Irishman in joint 12th place, winning £69,900. Des Smyth, who had 68 for 203, was 20th to win £7,455.
The most disappointed was Milltown's Francis Howley. He was one of 22 players to complete their fourth rounds before the storms and had responded to his moderate third round 73 by a thrilling attacking display to shoot 65 for a 10 under par total of 274. That might have won him around £7,500 but it was ruled out, as were the 63s returned by New Zealander Frank Nobilo and Scot Andrew Coltart.
Howley was credited with 65th place and won just £1,187. That will do little to help him secure his Tour card for 1997, although Howley gets another chance in this week's British Masters at Collingtree.
Woosnam, who won £116,000 in gaining his fourth victory of the year, now has a lead of more, than £51,000 over Colin Montgomerie at the head of thee Volvo Ranking. It is the second time he has been declared champion over 54 holes as he won the Open Mediterranean at Las Brisas in Marbella in 1990 when rain caused play to be shortened.
"It's frustrating to hang around wondering what is happening and there are always bound to be people who are disappointed in such a situation," he said. "But a win is a win and I aim to win again this week at Collingtree to get even further ahead of Colin."
That would ensure Woosnam gets a place in the forthcoming World Matchplay Championship and would trigger another round of productivity bonuses which the Welshman has negotiated with his sponsors this season.
In truth he would almost certainly have won anyway. By playing the inward half in 29 on Friday and the outward in 31 on Saturday, Woosnam spread-eagled the field.
Paul McGinley leapfrogged over Padraig Harrington in the money-list by being placed 30th on a nine under par 204, the position he filled after his abortive nine holes yesterday. His prize was £5,770.
Raymond Burns was 37th on 205 (£4,620), while Eamonn Darcy paid the penalty for his third round 77 by finishing in 70th place to win just £1,042. It was also rough luck for Darcy for, in company with Howley yesterday morning, he had a 66 for an eight under par 276.
