Ratcliffe in seventh heaven after Adare win

FIVE years after he bogeyed the 18th at Woodbrook to forfeit the lead and eventually lose in a playoff to Clare's Joe McDermott, 58-year-old Australian Noel Ratcliffe at last captured the AIB Irish Seniors Open at blustery Adare Hotel and Golf Resort yesterday.

In spite of taking a double bogey six at the 17th, Ratcliffe prevailed by one stroke with a five under par total of 211. He picked up a cheque for €49,500, his seventh victory on the tour and his first since 2001. Three players, Martin Gray of Scotland, American Bob Lendzion and Delroy Cambridge of Jamaica tied for second, worth €24,750 each, while the Japanese Seiji Ebihara failed in his bid for hat-trick of Irish titles although he did himself proud by coming home on his own in fifth spot and a cheque for €14,916.

It wasn't a good tournament for the Irish, although Liam Higgins of Waterville claimed the Hardys Wine sponsored Super Seniors prize and Paul Leonard emerged best of the home contingent in spite of taking 77 on Saturday. Even then, there was bad news for Higgins in that he departed Adare in the belief that the Super Seniors award had gone to England's Malcolm Gregson. But Gregson won't be 60 until August and Higgins's absence from the prizegiving could land him with a €500 fine.