Lane rolls back the years

BARRY LANE, playing his 499th European tour event and without a win on the circuit for 10 years, stormed to a three-stroke victory in the British Masters at the Forest of Arden yesterday.

And now the 43-year-old is in the running for a second Ryder Cup cap 11 years after his first.

Lane, who because of knee trouble was not even sure he could play until a few hours before he teed off last Thursday, produced a superb closing 66 to grab the e400,000 first prize.

"Outwardly I looked relaxed, but I don't think I was inside," said Lane, who began the final day one behind playing partner Paul Broadhurst.

This was his 252nd start since his last tour success, but thanks mainly to a chip-in eagle at the long seventh and a remarkable birdie on the 431-yard 16th, he cruised home.

The last winner's cheque Lane held aloft was for a million dollars at the 1995 Andersen Consulting world matchplay championship in the US, and though this win was worth much less it meant just as much.

It also qualifies him for a crack at another million-dollar jackpot at the NEC world championship in Ohio in August.

Lane, who lost to Chip Beck in a vital Ryder Cup singles match from three ahead with five holes to play at The Belfry, stood on the 14th tee three clear again and when that was reduced to one a tight finish looked in prospect.

Especially when he drove into a horrid patch of rough down the 16th. The ball could hardly be seen even as he stood over it.

There was a pond in front of the green, but Lane thrashed at it, made the carry and as a real bonus sank a 25-foot birdie putt.

Another came on the long 17th thanks to a fine chip to three feet and it meant he could even afford to double bogey the last. There was never any danger of that he found the green 200 yards away and two-putted.

Joint second were Argentina World Cup partners Angel Cabrera and Eduardo Romero, who therefore just missed out on becoming the oldest winner in European tour history.

The three-stroke margin, however, meant the 49-year-old did have cause to rue the two-shot penalty he received on Friday after his ball moved as he went to tap-in on the 14th green.

Swede Patrik Sjoland, the halfway leader, was fourth, while local man Broadhurst managed only a 72 and slipped back to joint fifth with pre-tournament favourite Darren Clarke, Dane Anders Hansen and Australian Nick O'Hern.

Lane, who also has a four-year-old problem with his other knee, said: "It's special because it's been such a long time. It's a wonderful feeling because winning is what we strive to do.

"I really enjoyed it. On Monday there was absolutely no way I was going to play, but the knee eased off, I had it strapped up, took some anti-inflammatory tablets and here I am.

"I went through a lot. I didn't play well for three years, didn't like travelling as much and lost motivation, but I kept believing in myself.

"The key was the 16th. It was probably the worst lie I've ever seen." The shot was less than 100 yards, but Lane felt there was no option but to hit it as hard as he could. "It was a pretty good birdie, I have to say."

Colin Montgomerie's 71 left him 16th and said he was pleased with that in his first event since his marriage break-up.