Magician helps golfer to title

2005-05-08 18:21

Milan - England's Steve Webster, who has been working with a magician, clinched his first European Tour title on the final hole of the Italian Open here on Sunday to break his duck at the 247th attempt.

The 30-year-old, who won after five birdies in his last 10 holes, has been runner-up on the Tour five times in his career and recently started working with Jamil Qureshi, whose techniques combine magic and psychology.

Qureshi works with other European Tour players including Nick Dougherty who picked up his first win in January.

"I've seen him every day this week," said Webster.

"He can click his fingers and get a rabbit out of your trousers, but we work on feelings when I've played well and it's all about positives, vibes and pre-shot routine.

"It's just a matter of getting the mind right and Jamil can almost put me under."

Leading amateur

Webster, the leading amateur in the 1995 Open ahead of Tiger Woods, carded a final-round 68 for an 18-under-par total of 270 and a three-stroke victory.

Wales' Bradley Dredge was only one behind on the last tee, but pulled an iron into the lake and bogeyed to fall back alongside Yorkshireman Richard Finch and Dane Anders Hansen.

"To win is amazing really. I started the week pretty confident, but you never know until the weekend," added Webster.

"My mind was all over the place today, I did feel I was going to win, but it's so hard to keep concentrating.

"Of course I've under-achieved on tour. Ten years is a long time and when I look at players who have done well - no names mentioned - I know I am better than them."

- SAPA