VILAMOURA // The powerful young Spaniard Alvaro Quiros proved there is more to his game than booming drives as he produced a three-shot victory at the Portuguese Masters. Quiros, 25, showed he has strength of character to go with his power as he held off the challenge of the European Money List leader Robert Karlsson and England's Ross Fisher. And he clinched the honours in some style, calmly sinking a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th green at the Victoria Club to complete a final-round four-under-par 68 for a 19-under total.
Karlsson, who was favourite to clinch his third successive Tour victory after wins in the German Masters and the Dunhill Links Championship, eventually had to settle for a share of third place after a series of mistakes. Instead, the runners-up spot went to Scotland's Paul Lawrie, who produced his best tournament finish for three years. But at the end of a week when all Spanish golfing attention has been devoted to the failing health of golfing legend Seve Ballesteros, the emergence of another exciting young star from that country will be welcomed.
For Quiros there is now a place in the Tournament of Champions in Shanghai, and throughout his round Ballesteros was never far from his thoughts. "My caddy told me that Seve always wanted to beat everybody and today I drew inspiration from thinking about the way he played his golf," he said. The lowest score of the final day belonged to Bristol's Chris Wood, who as an amateur finished tied for fifth place to take the Silver Medal in this year's British Open at Royal Birkdale.
Having turned pro immediately after that achievement, and this weekend playing in the last of his seven invitations, Wood's 65 produced his first top-10 finish in the paid ranks. * PA Sport
