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'I feel like Tiger Woods' Rejuvenated Romero completes European Masters romp
CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland (AP) -- Eduardo Romero never hinted at anything resembling a collapse as he strolled to a runaway 10-shot triumph in the European Masters on Sunday. His compatriots carried him off the green on their shoulders after the 46-year-old Argentine, who led after every round of the event, which he also won in 1994, closed with a 4-under-par 67 for a 23-under total of 261 -- tied for the lowest score in the 77-year history of the tournament. "I feel a little bit less than 46 right now," said Romero, whose margin of victory was the largest in Europe this year. Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, tied for second in the British Open, third in the U.S. PGA and winner of last Sunday's BMW International in Munich, continued his run with a 66 for second place on 271. Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland took over the lead in the European money list from defending champion Lee Westwood by finishing third on 272 after a 70. Westwood shared 21st place after a level-par 71.
Romero's 261 aggregate was the same as Canadian Jerry Anderson had when he won in 1984, Anderson was 27-under because par was 72 but the course was considered much easier then. The greens have been remodeled by Seve Ballesteros over the past three years and are much tougher to negotiate now. No less an authority than Nick Faldo rated Romero's 23-under as equivalent to 35-under on the course before the greens were redesigned. Romero became the first player his age to win in Europe since fellow-Argentine Vicente Fernandez in the 1992 English Open. Fernandez was a few months older, and Neil Coles of Britain was 48 when he won the 1982 Sanyo Open, the Oldest champion in European Tour history. Romero had only one bogey in his last two rounds, at the 16th Sunday, and just five for the week. The other four came in his Second-round 68, when he atoned with seven birdies. As he has every day, Romero credited his improved concentration. "That was the key. I was eight shots ahead yesterday but I said the tournament was not finished yet. I needed good concentration for 17 holes. Then I could relax," he said. Four birdies on the front nine iced the victory cake for Romero, who was given a huge ovation from spectators in this mountainous area, which reminds him of home in Cordoba, Argentina. He said he feels he can win again at this week's Lancome Trophy near Paris. "I will go for it. I feel strong. I feel like Tiger Woods," he said. Bjorn again played solidly but second place was the best finish available. "The tournament has been out of everyone's hands for the past two days. Every time Eduardo needed to, he produced something remarkable," the Dane said. Clarke stormed away from the course after dropping three shots on the 16th and 17th holes to fall from second to third. But he now leads Westwood by about $12,800. Niclas Fasth of Sweden shot a day's best 64 to take fourth place. Mathias Gronberg of Sweden was fifth and there was tie for sixth between Philip Price and Nick Faldo. Price shot a round of 18 pars for 71, just as Faldo so memorably did when he won the first of his British Open titles in 1987 at Muirfield. Faldo carded a 67 in the first step of his campaign to regain the Ryder Cup slot which he had 11 successive times from 1977 to 1997. "It was a good start but I need to work on the short game, from 120 yards to 130 yards in," he said. Whereas Romero's concentration was perfect, Westwood said his was shot. "There are too many other things going on. I moved house last week and that was stressful and golf is the last thing I'm concentrating on right now," said the world No. 5, who has won four titles in Europe in 2000. "I'm surprised I've done as well as I have this year."
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