Brian Davis Wins Spanish Open Golf

GIRONA, Spain (AP) â€” England's Brian Davis, inspired by Tiger Woods, shot a 3-under 69 Monday and won the $938,000 Spanish Open for his first title on the European Tour. <br><br>Davis finished at

Monday, May 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

GIRONA, Spain (AP) â€” England's Brian Davis, inspired by Tiger Woods, shot a 3-under 69 Monday and won the $938,000 Spanish Open for his first title on the European Tour.

Davis finished at 14-under 274, three shots ahead of Marcu Brier of Austria and four in front of Eduardo Romero of Argentina and Peter Baker of England.

He earned $150,000, his biggest check ever.

``I played great golf,'' Davis said. ``It's been unbelievable. I didn't let anything affect me.''

Davis played the final round of last year's Deutche Bank Open at Heidelberg, Germany, with Woods. Woods won and Davis tied for fifth.

``I learned a lot,'' Davis said. ``It made me realize how far behind I was, how much work I had to do.

``Before that I was struggling. I'd lost my way. I wasn't sure I could go on much longer.''

Davis splits time between Europe and Florida, where he works with coach Tony Ziegler, son of Senior Tour member Larry Ziegler.

Davis won the pre-qualifying at the USPGA Tour School last year by eight shots but missed out in the qualifying.

Brier shot a 71 for 277. Romero also had a 71 for 278, while Baker shot a 64.

Capping a sluggish week, marked by putting problems, Colin Montgomerie had a 71 to finish fifth at 279.

``Very disappointing,'' Montgomerie said.

Sergio Garcia, the young Spanish star, closed with a 73 to tie for 12th at 283. Garcia killed his chances with double-bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes.