By John Manley
David Higgins recorded his first top 10 finish on the European Tour in last week’s Qatar Masters, played over the Doha Golf Club. Higgins, of Waterville, Co. Kerry, was six under par for 72 holes at 282 (70-72-72-68),which was good for an eighth-place tie. Tony Johnstone led the way at 274. Paul McGinley tied for 13th place at 283 (71-67-71-74), while Eamonn Darcy (69-68-72-77) and Des Smyth (71-71-68-76) shared 27th place at 286 with seven others.
PGA Tour
Richard Coughlan occupied the bottom position with three others at the completion of the Honda Classic at TPC at Heron Bay in Coral Springs, Fla. Coughlan just cleared the cut, with two rounds of 71. He then shot 72 and 71 over the weekend to finish at 285, which was 15 shots behind Jesper Parnevik, who had the winning score of 270. Despite earning $5,984, Coughlan actually dropped one position to 169th on the Money List. He has earned $24,757 this year.
Senior Tour
A final round 80 pushed Christy O’Connor, Jr. far down the leaderboard at the SBC Senior Classic at the Valencia Country Club in Santa Clarita, Cal., where he tied for 49th place at five-over-par 221 (72-69-80). He earned $4,200. Jim Colbert’s 204 was good for the victory.
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Canadian Tour
Eamonn Brady tied for 34th place in the South Carolina Challenge at the Barefoot Resort’s Davis Love III course in Myrtle Beach. Brady shot even par 288 (71-72-74-71) over 72 holes. His score was 14 strokes off Jace Bugg’s winning 274.
South African Tour
Peter Lawrie tied for 33rd place in the Stanbic Zambia Open, played over the Lusaka Golf Course in Lusaka, Zambia. He shot four-under-par 288 (72-67-79-70) to finish 10 strokes behind medalist Mark Barry Foster. James Loughnane tied for 47th place at even-par 292 (72-74-75-71).
Buy.com Tour
The PGA Tour’s junior circuit began its 2001 season at the Gainesville Country Club in Florida. Veteran John Kernohan and first year man Sean Quinlivan both teed off, but to little avail. Both missed the cut, which was drawn at 140. Kernohan shot 143 (72-71), while Quinlivan carded 145 (72-73).