GOLF TOUR NEWS:FIVE OF Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup side have now won since the start of August after Miguel Angel Jimenez survived a late scare to take the Omega European Masters in Switzerland yesterday.

The 46-year-old Spaniard, six clear with seven to play, had that slashed to one by Celtic Manor team-mate Edoardo Molinari and then hit a tree with his tee shot to the short 16th.

But the Italian was the one to bogey there, while Jimenez got up and down from a fairway bunker for a birdie on the next and, with a closing par, triumphed by three.

It follows the wins by Ross Fisher at the Irish Open, Martin Kaymer in the USPGA Championship, Peter Hanson at the Czech Open and Molinari in last week’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Jimenez, making his 22nd successive trip to Crans-sur-Sierre, finally got his hands on the trophy with a four-under-par 67 and 21-under total of 263.

He becomes the eighth oldest winner in European Tour history and the first to record three victories this season. Jimenez claimed a first prize of €333,330. Incredibly, 11 of his 18 titles have come since he turned 40.

“I made a good recovery at the 16th – that was probably the key to the day,” said Jimenez after being sprayed with champagne and then being encouraged to jump in the pond by the final green.”

He was not the only one celebrating, however. Molinari’s 17-year-old compatriot Matteo Manassero came third on 16 under following a 68 and with a cheque for more than €125,200 has secured a Tour card for next season in six starts as a pro.

“I am a full member for the first time. It was my goal and what I wanted to do and now I am here,” said last year’s British amateur champion.

Molinari himself now heads off for a three-week break before the Ryder Cup, having finished first and second in his last two events, while Jimenez has come seventh, third and first in his last three.

Three ahead overnight, Jimenez doubled that by going to the turn in 32 with birdies at the first, sixth, seventh and ninth.

But Molinari birdied the 12th and the long 14th to move only three behind as Jimenez, bunkered off the tee, went over the green for three and took six.

Molinari then hit a marvellous six iron to two feet on the 516-yard next and made eagle to Jimenez’s par but he failed to get up and down from sand at the 16th and parred the last two. England’s Steve Webster, joint third with Manassero after 54 holes, fell back to joint ninth with a 73.

Ireland’s Des Smyth won the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters to win for a fifth successive decade and deny England’s Carl Mason a record 24th Senior Tour victory.

Smyth carded a three-under-par 69 at blustery Woburn to win for the first time in three years, while overnight leader Mason faltered on the back nine, coming home in 40 to card two over par.

Mason extended his lead to three after nine holes but a disastrous four-putt double-bogey on the par five 14th to Smyth’s birdie turned things on their head and saw him trail by two.

Smyth took advantage and although he bogeyed 16 to set up a tense finish, he rubber-stamped his victory on the 18th with an emphatic closing birdie.

He said: “It was fantastic to win in front of these crowds and it is my fifth decade of winning, from the ’70s to now and that was a goal of mine.”

In a share of third place with Argentine Adan Sowa, was England’s Gary Wolstenholme on his Senior Tour debut who picked up the biggest cheque of his life having been a career amateur for so many years.

European Masters

SELECTED FINAL ROUND SCORES

At Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans, Switzerland

(Irish in boldand Brit unless stated, par 71)

263 - Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 67 61 68 67.

266 - Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 66 65 68 67.

268 - Matteo Manassero (Ita) 64 67 69 68.

271 - Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 71 66 67 67.

272 - Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 67 68 70 67, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 66 70 68, Oliver Wilson 68 68 67 69, Robert Coles 66 71 67 68.

273 - Steve Webster 66 70 64 73, Marc Warren 69 69 68 67, Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 65 67 75 66, Peter Lawrie72 69 63 69.

274 - Anthony Wall 67 68 69 70, Brett Rumford (Aus) 70 70 70 64.

275 - Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 70 68 66 71, Chris Wood 69 69 68 69, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 69 68 71 67, Darren Clarke67 70 68 70, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 69 70 69 67, David Dixon 67 69 69 70, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 72 66 68 69, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 69 69 68 69.

277 - Gareth Maybin69 71 68 70.

284 - Michael Hoey71 69 77 67.