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Harrington claims Order of Merit Harrington claims Order of Merit
(10 minutes later)
Padraig Harrington snatched his first European Order of Merit title after a dramatic final round of the Volvo Masters at Valderrama. Padraig Harrington snatched his first European Order of Merit title after a dramatic final round at the Volvo Masters in Valderrama.
India's Jeev Milkha Singh was the shock winner of the tournament but all the attention was on a tumultuous battle for the European number one spot.India's Jeev Milkha Singh was the shock winner of the tournament but all the attention was on a tumultuous battle for the European number one spot.
Paul Casey was in pole position until virtually the final shot of the day.Paul Casey was in pole position until virtually the final shot of the day.
But when Sergio Garcia bogeyed the last Harrington moved into a tie for second place and the title was his.But when Sergio Garcia bogeyed the last Harrington moved into a tie for second place and the title was his.
Harrington set up a gripping climax to the day and season when he rolled in a 35ft putt on the 16th - a third birdie in six holes to put him joint third.Harrington set up a gripping climax to the day and season when he rolled in a 35ft putt on the 16th - a third birdie in six holes to put him joint third.
But, perhaps thinking he needed another birdie, he was then short with his approach to the long 17th and found the water. But, perhaps thinking he needed another birdie, he was then short with a bold approach to the long 17th and found the water.
While most focussed on the Merit race, Singh quietly got the job doneThe 35-year-old Dubliner, however, showed great courage to get up and down from the drop zone, holing an 8ft putt for par.While most focussed on the Merit race, Singh quietly got the job doneThe 35-year-old Dubliner, however, showed great courage to get up and down from the drop zone, holing an 8ft putt for par.
He then had to repeat the trick on the last after missing the fairway with his drive.He then had to repeat the trick on the last after missing the fairway with his drive.
That left him with a 69 and one-under total but minutes later he was up to the second place he needed as Garcia bogeyed the 13th and 14th.That left him with a 69 and one-under total but minutes later he was up to the second place he needed as Garcia bogeyed the 13th and 14th.
In an incredible climax, the Spaniard then holed a 12ft birdie putt on the 16th to join Singh in the lead at two under and that put Casey in the Order of Merit lead again. In an incredible final act, the Spaniard then holed a 12ft birdie putt on the 16th to join Singh in the lead at two under and that put Casey in the Order of Merit lead again.
But "El Nino" then missed a 10ft birdie putt on the 17th and made a horrible mess of the last - missing the fairway with his drive, finding a bunker with his second and then leaving himself far too much to do with his par putt.But "El Nino" then missed a 10ft birdie putt on the 17th and made a horrible mess of the last - missing the fairway with his drive, finding a bunker with his second and then leaving himself far too much to do with his par putt.
A bogey there took him back into second place alongside Harrington and England's Luke Donald.A bogey there took him back into second place alongside Harrington and England's Luke Donald.
For Garcia it was his 11th top-10 finish in a winless season and for Harrington it was what he described as the "probably the 30th second place" of his career but without doubt his finest achievement.For Garcia it was his 11th top-10 finish in a winless season and for Harrington it was what he described as the "probably the 30th second place" of his career but without doubt his finest achievement.
Not to have won having been number one for so long is obviously disappointing David HowellNot to have won having been number one for so long is obviously disappointing David Howell
He had trailed Casey by £147,041 going into the tournament but when the Englishman struggled with food poisoning in the first round the battle was suddenly on. He had trailed Casey by £147,041 going into the tournament but when the Englishman struggled with food poisoning in the first round the battle was well and truly on.
The final margin was £23,476 and the most exciting climax to a European season since Colin Montgomerie pipped Sam Torrance on the final green in 1995. The final margin was £23,476 and the most exciting finish to a European season since Colin Montgomerie pipped Sam Torrance on the final green in 1995.
David Howell, who could also have snatched the Order of Merit had he finished in the top three, was disconsolate when a final round of 71 left him on even par - two shots too many. David Howell, who could also have snatched the Order of Merit, was disconsolate when a final round of 71 left him on even par - two shots too many.
The Englishman, who had led the money list for most of the season until Casey's good form and his own injury problems conspired to knock him out of the top position, said: "It's bitterly disappointing.The Englishman, who had led the money list for most of the season until Casey's good form and his own injury problems conspired to knock him out of the top position, said: "It's bitterly disappointing.
"Not to have won having been number one for so long is obviously disappointing, but it's been a great year.""Not to have won having been number one for so long is obviously disappointing, but it's been a great year."
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