South African Charl Schwartzel won the Spanish Open after a marathon last day effort in Madrid today.

Just seven shots were hit in the Spanish Open in rain-soaked Madrid before play had to be suspended today - and it looked certain to be the first of many stoppages.

Darren Clarke left Madrid in his private jet today, determined to see his putting take off in the Ryder Cup at the K Club.

Ian Poulter is looking forward to a return to the world’s top 50 after a sparkling 64 gave him a four-shot lead entering the final round of the Madrid Open.

Darren Clarke returns to golf tomorrow just 32 days after his wife Heather lost her battle with cancer.

Just a week after England’s John Bickerton won his first European Tour title at the 287th attempt, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin is poised to make it 238th time lucky.

Darren Clarke was given a glimmer of hope today as he tried to prevent France’s Raphael Jacquelin running away with the Madrid Open.

France’s Raphael Jacquelin stretched his lead to five strokes with two early birdies in the third round of the Madrid Open today.

Ian Woosnam was walking with a real spring in his step in Spain today – and not just because he had put himself in the hunt for the Madrid Open and a first tour title for eight years with a 65.

Family will continue to come first for Darren Clarke next year – even if it means missing the first-ever Ryder Cup on Irish soil.

Struggling Spaniard Ivo Giner was in dreamland today when he returned a round of 60 in the European Tour’s Madrid Open.

Seve Ballesteros admitted today that nerves got the better of him at the start of his first European Tour event for almost two years.

A first win on the European Tour – any tour, in fact – is a notable feat in any golfer’s career - but the one by South African Richard Sterne in the Madrid Open yesterday deserves special mention.

South African Richard Sterne won the Madrid Open with a brilliant closing 65 today – and with it saved his European tour career.

No fewer than nine players held at least a share of the lead during the early stages of the Madrid Open final round at Club de Campo today.

A controversial incident on the 18th hole could cost Swede Johan Edfors his European tour career tomorrow.

Spanish golfer Jose Manuel Lara missed out on a European Tour record by a single shot today when he scored 28 for nine holes in the Madrid Open.

Former Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst is in the hunt for his first European tour victory for nine years after adding a 65 to his opening 67 in the Madrid Open today.

Former Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst moved into the lead at the Madrid Open today – but had Graeme McDowell, surely a Ryder Cup player of the future, breathing down his neck.

Joakim Haeggman, joint holder of the European tour record for nine holes, had a chance to at least match it today when he resumed the Madrid Open with five successive birdies.

Trevor Immelman began the Madrid Open with a birdie 24 hours after one of the most terrifying experiences of his life.

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, fourth and fifth on this year’s European Order of Merit, both pulled out on the final day of the Telefonica Madrid Open.

England’s Paul Casey quickly added yet another birdie this morning to take a four-stroke lead into the third round of the Telefonica Madrid Open.

Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher missed equalling the lowest round of his European tour career today after incurring a one-shot penalty for hitting the ball when he did not mean to.

Sandy Lyle’s 25-year hold of a European Tour card ended today when he quit on the fourth hole of his second round at the Madrid Open.

Paul Lawrie could be getting a call from former Ryder Cup partner Colin Montgomerie following a second round 64 in the Telefonica Madrid Open at Club de Campo today.

Paul Casey has an interesting question for Colin Montgomerie when he next sees him.

Darren Clarke has conceded the European Order of Merit title to Ernie Els after deciding not to play next week’s Madrid Open.

Confirmation was being awaited today that Ireland's Darren Clarke has decided not to play next week’s Madrid Open, giving the European Order of Merit title to Ernie Els.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington slipped off the pace as Denmark’s Steen Tinning grabbed the second win of his European Tour career after an amazing final round in the Telefonica Madrid Open today.

Padraig Harrington has dropped off the pace in the final round of the Madrid Open.

Padraig Harrington is one shot off the leading pack in the final round of the Madrid Open.

Denmark’s Steen Tinning took over the lead from Padraig Harrington in a curious mixture of brilliance and bogeys as the Telefonica Madrid Open went into its final nine holes today.

Latest leading positions in the final round of the Telefonica Madrid Open, Club de Campo, Madrid, Spain.

Padraig Harrington is one ahead of the field going into the final round of the Madrid Open.

Strange though it might sound, Padraig Harrington is both one ahead and five ahead with a round to play in the Telefonica Madrid Open.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington is still ahead in the Madrid Open.

Padraig Harrington has not stopped surprising himself since the day he became a professional golfer.

Maarten Lafeber took the lead away from Padraig Harrington and Trevor Immelman when the Telefonica Madrid Open resumed at Club de Campo.

The start of the second round in the Madrid Open has been delayed by 90 minutes by fog.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington goes into day two of the Telefonica Madrid Open just one shot off the pace of overnight leader Lee Westwood.

Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley has set about trying to avoid his worst finish on the European tour Order of Merit for a decade.

Retief Goosen today called Padraig Harrington, his rival for the European Order of Merit title, “definitely the slowest player on tour”.

Retief Goosen clinched the European Order of Merit title today - and then 35 minutes later added the Telefonica Madrid Open for good measure.