Golf: Nobilo edges home

FRANK NOBILO, of New Zealand, held off challenges from the Ryder Cup pair, David Feherty and Gordon Brand Jnr, to win the Mediterranean Open at El Saler, Valencia yesterday.

Nobilo got up and down from a greenside bunker at the final hole to win by a single shot and collect his third European victory.

Nobilo, who was two strokes clear overnight, shot a level par final round of 72 for a nine under total of 279. Feherty shot a 69, and Brand a 68.

Both had birdie chances on the last hole, but Brand, without a win since the 1989 Benson and Hedges international, was short with his 20ft putt and Feherty just misread his 10ft attempt.

TURESPANA MEDITERRANEAN OPEN (El Saler, Valencia) Leading final scores: (GB or Irl unless stated): 279 F Nobilo (NZ) 71 69 67 72. 280 G Brand Jnr 70 72 70 68; D Feherty 70 69 72 69. 281 J-M Olazabal (Sp) 71 69 75 66; C Rocca (It) 70 72 71 68; S Luna (Sp) 67 72 72 70; T Levet (Fr) 71 70 69 71. 282 J Payne 68 67 78 69; D Gilford 70 73 70 69; J Parnevik (Swe) 71 67 73 71; M Lanner (Swe) 73 69 69 71; M Roe 69 70 70 73. 283 M Davis 68 72 74 69; C Montgomerie 69 72 70 72; G Ralph 74 68 68 73; R Chapman 72 71 67 73; S Torrance 71 70 68 74. 284 E Romero (Arg) 68 73 75 68; J-M Canizares (Sp) 71 70 75 68; F Lindgren (Swe) 71 73 67 73. 285 B Langer (Ger) 72 74 69 70; E O'Connell 75 68 70 72.

Order of Merit, Ryder Cup points,

Sport in Short, page 29