Johnson adds to run of rookie victories

Once again it was not to be for Padraig Harrington yesterday. Second in the Players' Championship in Florida last week, the 32-year-old Dubliner failed in his bid to win the BellSouth Classic in windy Atlanta after a real rollercoaster ride of a final round.

Four days before the start of the Masters, world No 8 Harrington finished fourth at Sugarloaf, his closing 72 containing an eagle and five birdies, but also three bogeys and two double bogeys.

The title went to an American rookie, Zach Johnson, who won only his 13th US Tour event by one from Australian Mark Hensby after a closing 72 that included almost as many thrills and spills.

Coasting four clear with eight to play the 28-year-old bogeyed four of the next five. But none of the chasing pack could take full advantage in the demanding conditions.

Three behind Johnson entering the day, Harrington three-putted the first two holes and then double-bogeyed the next. Four over for three holes and, with Johnson opening with a birdie, suddenly eight adrift.

After the long fourth, however, the gap was five, Harrington grabbing birdie while Johnson went in a creek and ran up a double bogey seven.

The Irishman then returned to the 418-yard fifth where he had taken seven in the third round - and this time it cost him a six after his approach went into sand over the green.

Johnson, ranked 126th in the world and winner of the "second division" Nationwide Tour last year, became the 14th different winner of 14 events on the circuit this season with a 13-under-par total of 275.

One of only four sub-70 rounds all day came from England's Luke Donald, a 69 lifting him into a tie for eighth and earning him £75,000. The 26-year-old former Walker Cup star from High Wycombe has now earned more this season - over £450,000 - than he did in the whole of 2003.

* In Portimao, Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez virtually secured his place in the Ryder Cup with victory in the Algarve Open de Portugal. Jimenez carded a final-round 67 to finish on 16 under par. This gave him a two-shot win over Australia's Terry Price, who equalled the course record set by Robert Karlsson two hours earlier with a 64.

BELLSOUTH CLASSIC (Atlanta) Leading final scores (US unless stated): 275 Z Johnson 69 66 68 72. 276 M Hensby (Aus) 73 70 66 67. 277 S Hend (Aus) 72 66 68 71. 278 P Harrington (Irl) 70 69 67 72. 280 P Lonard (Aus) 73 67 69 71. 281 L Janzen 75 67 68 71; B Crane 68 69 71 73. 282 L Donald (GB) 72 70 71 69; S Cink 75 67 69 71.