Golf: Smyth fired up at 40

DES SMYTH completed his start-to-finish victory in the Madrid Open yesterday then spoke of how 'golden oldies', like the American Ray Floyd, gave him encouragement for the future. Smyth played just eight holes to complete his final round in 71 for a 16-under- par aggregate of 272, three shots clear of the field.

He said: 'I'm really relieved. I haven't won since the Jersey Open in 1988 and when you don't win for a long time you never think you are ever going to win again.'

Smyth, 40 last February, believes he has a good three or four years on the Tour ahead of him - 'and maybe 10'. He stressed that Floyd, still playing superbly at 51, was an inspiration to players of his age. 'When you see how well he can play now he's over 50, there's still hope for us younger guys.'

Smyth shot a seven-under- par 65 in the opening round in Madrid and was never headed. He won by three shots from Mark Roe, the South African Wayne Westner, and the Spaniards Jose Rivero and Domingo Hospital.

MADRID OPEN Leading final scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 272 D Smyth 65 68 68 71. 275 M Roe 69 66 71 69; J Rivero (Sp) 68 72 66 69; D Hospital (Sp) 68 69 68 70; W Westner (SA) 70 65 68 72. 276 D Feherty 68 72 70 66; D J Russell 74 67 68 67; E Romero (Arg) 73 66 68 69; S Luna (Sp) 70 70 67 69. 277 G Brand Jnr 75 65 68 69; D Gilford 68 67 70 72. 278 D W Basson (SA) 70 72 67 69; S Struver (Ger) 72 70 67 69; A Oldcorn 70 71 70 67; G Turner (NZ) 69 70 68 71. 279 F Lindgren (Swe) 74 68 69 68; A Forsbrand (Swe) 73 68 70 68; P Fowler (Aus) 68 70 71 70; M Davis 68 72 69 70; B Lane 69 66 73 71; M James 71 69 68 71.