England's Richard Finch came through a comical tumble into a river to claim a two-stroke victory in the Irish Open on Sunday. Finch, 30, jumped into 10th position on the European Ryder Cup Points List in capturing a second victory this season courtesy of a closing round 70 for a 10-under par total on a rain-softened Adare Manor course. But the Yorkshireman was left red-faced when he tottered backward into the River Maigue after playing his third shot from a grassy slope at the closing hole. Finch emerged soaked to his chest but delighted to see his ball lying on the green from where he three-putted for victory. Finch's second shot at the par five, 18th came to rest inside the line of a lateral hazard and just feet from the river. Finch took his stance knowing he had 102 yards to the flag but in playing his shot, he lost his balance and stumbled into the river and up to his chest. Finch earned a first prize check of 416,660 euros ($644,800) to also jump 17 places to fifth on the European Tour Order of Merit. Chile's Felipe Aguilar, the reigning Indonesian Open champion, carded a 70 to finish in second place on eight under par. England's Lee Westwood (72), Ireland's Gary Murphy (69), Holland's Maarten Lafeber (67) and Sweden's Robert Karlsson (71) were next best on seven-under-par. Padraig Harrington, the defending champion and reigning British Open champion, stumbled in carding a final round 76 for a share of 31st place on one over par. 3rd stright win for Ochoa World number one Lorena Ochoa of Mexico won her sixth title of the year here Sunday, firing a one-under par 71 to capture the LPGA Sybase Classic for the third year in a row. One week after her four-event LPGA win streak was snapped, Ochoa captured the $300,000 top prize at the two million-dollar event with a 54-hole total of 10-under par 206, one stroke ahead of five rivals. The tournament was shortened to three rounds after heavy rain swamped the course Friday, prompting officials to throw out the few scores that had been posted and start the second round anew on Saturday. South Korea's Na Yeon Choi, Britain's Catriona Matthew, Sweden's Sophie Gustafson and Americans Brittany Lang and Morgan Pressel shared second on 207. Sweden's second-ranked Annika Sorenstam, who last Tuesday announced her retirement at the end of the season, fired a 71 Sunday to share 11th on 211. Howell III takes lead Charles Howell III took a one-shot advantage over Kenny Perry in the Atlanta Classic on Saturday with five other players within three shots of the lead. Howell fired a five under 67 to take him to 13 under overall while Perry, who has been top or close throughout the tournament, made a great start with a birdie on the third and an eagle on the par-five fourth before two bogeys and two birdies. Perry was one shot off the lead going into the final round at the Players last week but blew his chances with a poor round of 81. The overnight leader Jonathan Byrd is one of three players on 11 under along with David Toms and Ryan Palmer.
