Richard gets rub of the green to win Austrian Open

Last updated at 08:54 11 June 2007

Australian Richard Green tonight admitted it was a "huge relief" to finally claim his first European Tour title for a decade in a dramatic climax to the Austrian Open.

Green had two putts from 12 feet on the 18th green to seal victory, but charged

his birdie attempt three feet past and missed the return.

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That meant a play-off with France's Jean-Francois Remesy, who had carded a

superb closing 64 to set the clubhouse target on 16 under after a two-hour delay

for lightning at Fontana Golf Club.

The players returned to the 18th and this time it was Remesy who faltered, his

approach to the par five finding the rocks on the edge of the water surrounding

the green.

The best he could do was a bogey six and Green made absolutely certain of a

long-overdue win by chipping to within inches of the hole from the back of the

green for birdie to win the first prize of £147,036.

England's Chris Gane eagled the last for a 65 to share third a shot further

back alongside Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Swede Michael Jonzon.

Green sprang to prominence by winning the Dubai Desert Classic in 1997, beating

Ian Woosnam and Greg Norman in a play-off.

But until today he had failed to win again despite numerous good chances, and

admitted a lack of self-belief had held him back.

"I've had that self-doubt in me for quite a long time," said the 36-year-old

from Melbourne, who lost a play-off in the KLM Open to Simon Dyson last year.

"I've got myself into position and played three rounds great but not four, so

to get across the line is a huge relief.

"I was probably as nervous as I've ever been on the 18th green and I think

that showed with the three putts. I was fortunate that I got into a play-off and

still had a chance.

"My brain was pretty scrambled signing my scorecard but a couple of good words

from my caddie gathered my thoughts a little bit. He told me to remember my

play-off record, having won Dubai and the Australian Masters in extra holes.

"I lost in Holland to Simon Dyson but it's nice to make it three out of

four."

Green led by three shots overnight but fell one behind after a four-shot swing

in the space of a few seconds.

The left-hander found heavy rough off the third tee, failed to find the green

and then three-putted to run up a double-bogey six, and moments later heard the

roar from the group ahead as Jimenez holed his second shot to the fifth for an

eagle two to jump into the lead.

Green bounced back quickly with birdies from close range on the fifth and sixth

to regain the lead on 15 under par before the weather intervened.

On the resumption Jimenez bogeyed the eighth and despite a birdie on the next,

it was Remesy who came out of the chasing pack with five birdies in six holes

from the 11th.

The 43-year-old narrowly missed for another on the 18th but was still happy

with his performance after making just three cuts in the first 13 events of the

season.

Remesy won the French Open in 2004 and 2005 - beating Jean Van de Velde in a

play-off in 2005 - but admitted he had slacked off after those successful

seasons.

"I was struggling towards the end because it's been a long time not being in

that position," he said.

"I did my best so I am pretty happy about what I've achieved after the last

few months.

"I didn't work, I didn't focus on my game after the great time I had in 2004

and 2005. I was a little tired and just practised enough (to get by), I thought

my talent would be enough to keep me in contention.

"The level is so high now, if you don't work hard it's like the train has

already left and you are still standing on the platform.

"A month ago I almost stopped playing but I worked on a few things and

realised I would still like to continue. A lot of people said 'you can't stop'

but when your mind says no it's not easy and you have to find the solution in

yourself."