Sergio Garcia came from four strokes behind with four holes to play to capture the Trophée Lancôme by a shot and deny the defending champion Retief Goosen a second consecutive victory in an absorbing final day at Saint-Nom-La-Brèteche.
Goosen, the reigning United States and Scottish Open Champion, appeared to be in control of his own destiny after a masterful display of controlled golf on the final day. However he was compelled to take on the role of bystander as the 21 year old Spaniard sank three 15 foot birdie putts in a row from the 15th hole.
And when Goosen dropped a shot on the 17th hole after three putting, the two main protagonists were suddenly level playing the last, which has witnessed many dramatic and climactic moments over the distinguished 32-year history of the Trophée Lancôme.
Garcia hit a magnificent a seven iron to 15 feet at the capricious 209 yard 18th, but this time did not need to sink the birdie putt after the South African pulled his tee shot into a plugged lie in the left hand bunker.
He splashed out 18 feet beyond the cup, but his putt for par horse-shoed out of the hole, giving Garcia the two putts for victory which he accepted gratefully.
Garcia, the World Number Seven and a double winner on the US PGA Tour this season, finished with a 65 for an 18 under par total of 266, with Goosen second on a 17 under par total of 267 after a closing 67.
“It was an amazing day,” said Garcia after claiming his first victory on the 2001 European Tour International Schedule and third in total. “Retief played wonderful golf but I came back really strong at the end. It was a great contest.
“That putt on the 15th got me going and then I hit a great shot on the 18th that was perfect. The victory was great, but I thought the show Retief and I put on was absolutely amazing. It was great stuff.”
Garcia climbs to 15th in the Volvo Order of Merit with €715,287 while long-time leader, Goosen, still occupies the top spot with €2,417,934.
“I hit a bad drive on the 17th and a bad six iron on the 18th and that really cost me the tournament," said Goosen. "Unfortunately, my putter just didn't do me any good on the last two holes. The key shot was the tee shot on the 17th. That opened the door and I had a horrible lie in the bunker. It was about as good as I could have done to get it where I did. Then I hit a very good putt - I thought it was in."
Another South African, Jean Hugo, claimed third place after a round of 66 with England’s Gary Emerson fourth and Open Championship runner-up Niclas Fasth in fifth place.
One stroke ahead overnight, Goosen was caught first by Fasth and then by Garcia over the opening holes, but responded superbly. Having had seven successive birdies in his opening 64, this time he had five in a row and with Garcia able to match only one of them and Fasth falling away he suddenly led by four. It looked all over, but then Garcia charged back to capture the title with that dramatic final flourish.
