Emo's best is looking card sharp

From the Echo, first published Monday 20th Oct 2003.

GARY Emerson's highest-ever finish on the European Tour has given his late bid for survival a massive boost going into his final event of the season.

The 40-year-old Bournemouth player chalked up a final-round 69 for a four-under-par 206 total to claim a share of third place in the Turespana Mallorca Classic at the Pula Golf Club yesterday.

Emerson, who finished two shots behind winner Miguel Angel Jimenez, collected a cheque for £15,972 to lift him 13 places to 128th in the Order of Merit ahead of this week's lucrative Madrid Open which starts on Thursday.

"It's been another great week for me," said Emerson. "Two top-10 finishes in two weeks has given me a fighting chance. Just one more would be the icing on the cake.

"It's just a pity I didn't wake up earlier in the season!"

Emerson shot up the leaderboard on Friday with a 64 to repair the damage of an opening 73 in the weather-affected event which was reduced to just 54 holes after rain washed out the third round on Saturday.

Emerson collected his four birdies yesterday at the first, sixth, 13th and 18th holes.

"The back nine were particularly treacherous against a strong wind," explained Emerson. "I hit a three iron into the teeth of wind on the last to within five feet for a birdie."

In fact, that birdie putt was worth £8,000 to Emerson who could have had a share of second place, had Jose Maria Olazabal not held a tricky putt for bogey on the last green.

Dorset's other competitors Shaun Webster and Lee James, meanwhile tied 47th and 41st respectively after final rounds of 73 and 71.

Webster, playing in his last event of the season, faces another trip back to the Tour School after failing to break into the top 115. He is currently 118th in the standings.

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