Golf: Woosnam pipped by Bjorn in Perth

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn pipped Ian Woosnam by a stroke for the Heineken Classic title in Perth yesterday. On a windswept day when only eight of the 66 players broke par, Bjorn won when Woosnam, the 1996 champion, missed a six-foot eagle putt on the final green.

Bjorn shot a closing 74 for an eight-under-par total of 280. Woosnam managed only a 76, having four bogeys in a row around the turn and then taking three putts on the 17th.

The Ryder Cup Dane also had a bogey on that hole after finding a bunker, but at the downwind 517-yard last he hit his second shot to 15 feet. When his eagle attempt lipped out Woosnam had the chance to force a play-off, but failed.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, home in 31 for a best-of-the-round 66, headed for the airport thinking he had no chance on six under par. But as all the players ahead of him started frittering away strokes he headed back to the course. He finished joint third with Ernie Els, Midlander Peter Baker and Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal.