Parry claims Heineken Classic in play-off

Australia’s Craig Parry today defeated compatriot Nick O’Hern in a thrilling play-off to win the Heineken Classic in Melbourne.

Parry birdied the fourth extra hole to claim the top prize after the duo had finished tied on 14 under par at Royal Melbourne.

England’s Simon Dyson and Australian rookie Jarrod Lyle bogeyed the 72nd hole to miss out on the play-off, Dyson failing to save par from a greenside bunker and Lyle driving into trees.

Defending champion Ernie Els, seeking a record-equalling fourth straight victory, also bogeyed the 18th to finish a shot further back in fifth.

O’Hern, seeking a first European Tour title after 11 top-10s last season, had the upper hand throughout the play-off but was unable to take his chances as Parry refused to concede defeat.

The left-hander missed from seven feet at the first extra hole after Parry had holed from twice the distance to scramble a par, and then missed a virtually identical putt when the players returned to the 18th for a second time.

Switching to the 17th, Parry then had to hole from 10ft to stay alive after a clumsy chip from short of the green.

Back to the 18th and both players fired their approach to within 10ft of the hole. Almost inevitably Parry holed for birdie before O’Hern missed from a few inches closer.