Harrington's order of merit hopes goosed at Valderrama

PÁDRAIG Harrington's European Tour order of merit aspirations were finally dashed at Valderrama yesterday as Retief Goosen protected his lead going into the Volvo Masters without the slightest difficulty.

The South African was a shot behind Harrington starting the last day. The gap opened to three when Goosen double bogeyed the short 3rd but there was never any contest where the order of merit race was concerned. Harrington's game remained as mediocre as it had been all week and in the end he was outscored 71 to 73 by Goosen. Harrington would have needed to shoot a round of 66 to leapfrog Goosen and there was never a possibility of that over a course that is difficult enough in the first place without being swept over the weekend by a very strong wind.

Both men finished well down the leaderboard, Goosen tied for 34th on fourteen over 296 and Harrington a shot worse for a share of 36th.