MADRID, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Retief Goosen beat Steve Webster of England on the third playoff hole Sunday to capture the Telefonica Open de Madrid and become the first South African winner of the European money title in 26 years.
Goosen and Webster finished 72 holes tied at 20-under 264 and Goosen, winner of the U.S. Open and Scottish Open earlier this year, won the tournament with a birdie on the third extra hole.
The victory ensured Goosen would capture the money title over his closest rival, Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke.
Goosen became the first non-European to head the money list since Greg Norman in 1982 and the first from his country to win since Dale Hayes in 1975. Clarke had to be content with a share for sixth Sunday.
Goosen shots rounds of 66-64-66-68 while Webster compiled rounds of 68-62-68-66 in his bid for a first European Tour title in his 150th start. England's Brian Davis closed with a 9-under 62 to finished tied for third at 265 with Spaniard Diego Borrego, who almost won the tournament at the last when his second shot hit the hole and bounced out.
Borrego, who started the week in 140th position in the money list, won enough to climb to 98th place and ensure his playing rights for 2002.
Goosen seemed to have secured the tournament when he birdied the 17th to ease ahead of Webster, who had six birdies and just one bogey on his card.
But Goosen bogeyed the last to open the door once more and it was Webster who had the first stab at glory at the 18th, the first extra hole. He punched his approach within five feet of the hole, but missed the putt.
