Finch bathes in victory glow
England's Richard Finch not only won his second European Tour title on Sunday, but did something for which he will always be remembered.
Going along smoothly and with a three-stroke lead on the final hole of the Irish Open at Adare Manor, the 30-year-old from Hull saw his second shot to the par-five 18th finish on the bank of the River Maigue and, in playing his third, Finch lost his balance and fell into the water.
Although he then three-putted for a bogey six, the former English amateur champion was able to celebrate adding the trophy and a first prize of £330,297 to his New Zealand Open success in December.
Finch, fighting for his future on the European Tour until the final day of last season, shot a closing 70 for a 10-under-par total of 278 and a two-stroke victory over Chilean Felipe Aguilar.
Only 218th in the world entering the event, Finch now stands fifth on the Order of Merit - 105 places higher than he was last season - and is only just outside the top 10 in the Ryder Cup standings.
Welshman Bradley Dredge, keen to make up for losing a play-off to Padraig Harrington a year ago, had been one ahead going into the day, but the curse of the overnight lead struck him. Dredge handed over pole position when he followed an opening three-putt bogey with a double-bogey only two holes later.