Harrington DQ Olazabal's Gain

May 11, 2000 / 6:56 PM EDT / CBS/AP

José Maria Olazábal took advantage of the disqualification Sunday of runaway leader Padraig Harrington who earlier forgot to sign his scorecard and won the Benson and Hedges International.

A 6-under-par 66 capped by an eagle-3 from 10 feet after a superb approach at the 564-yard 17th hole earned the Spaniard his second victory in the event. The two-time Masters champion beat playing partner Phillip Price of Wales by three strokes.

Harrington, five shots in front after a third-round 64, was disqualified before he teed off when it was discovered he had not signed his card after his opening 71 on Thursday.

A similar a blunder cost Roberto de Vicenzo the 1968 Masters. He signed a card that had a 4 marked for a hole where he shot a 3.

The mistake by Harrington was spotted when the hotel at The Belfry where the event was staged and where next year's Ryder Cup will be played asked for the Irishman's cards to put on display.

A European Tour official discovered that Harrington's signature was missing, and tournament referee Andy McFee had no choice but to disqualify him under rule.

Harrington took it well.

"The rules are the rules. We play by them," he said, adding that it was the first time he had not signed his card since he began playing tournaments 16 years ago at the age of 12.

Olazabal said he had driven the ball well all four days at this event, after two years of problems with his driving.

"Hopefully I can continue doing that with that club," he said.

His eagle at 17 was crucial because Price had made a birdie.

"It gave me a two-shot lead playing the last," Olazabal said.

Price bogeyed the last hole for a 69.

Olazabal finished at 275, 13-under in an event in which only eight players broke par. The 34-year-old Spaniard, who won his first Masters title in 1994, said the day changed completely for him when he heard about Harrington's disqualification.

"When I woke up I thought I would have to be very aggressive to make something happen," he said. "Then I got the news and suddenly I was leading with Phillip."

The blunder by Harrington enabled Olazabal to play consistently, solidly, hole by hole instead of going for broke from the start.

"It has been a long trip since I won the Masters last year," Olazabal said, outlining driving and putting problems he has overcome in recent weeks with the help of coach John Jacobs. "It hurts a lot when you know you are not at a level to compete."