Whiteford shares fifth as Jacquelin triumphs

Peter Whiteford will return to the scene of his best European Tour result this week in an upbeat mood after sharing fifth place in the weather-delayed Sicilian Open at Donnafugata.

The 30-year-old from Kirkcaldy, one of ten players who had to return to the course yesterday morning to complete their rounds following Sunday's suspension, posted a level-par 71 for a five-under 279 and finished alongside Glasgow's Scott Jamieson, who concluded his campaign the night before.

The Scottish duo, who both earned 22,442 for an eight-way tie for fifth, came in seven shots behind Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, who claimed his first tour title since 2007 with a 12-under 272 after a 68.

Whiteford had almost written off his hopes of a high finish after an opening 74 but the Fifer now has renewed vigour as he travels to Malaga for the Andalucia Open, where he finished second last year.

"Obviously I have good memories from last year and it will nice to go back with a bit of form," said Whiteford, whose best finish prior to Sicily this season was a share of 37th in the Qatar Masters. "If you had told me I would finish in a tie for fifth place after my first round I would have laughed at you.

"I played really badly on the first day. I honestly thought I had no chance of making the cut

"It was kind of a disappointing finish today because I had a couple of opportunities on my last three holes and if I had taken one of them I would have pulled away from that pack of guys on five under. But it's a start for me this season."

At the head of the field, Jacquelin staved off the spirited challenge of London's Anthony Wall as the pair returned to complete their last six holes.

The Englishman had drawn level at the top but his double-bogey on the 17th proved costly, and despite recovering with a birdie on the last, Jacquelin made a solid par to clinch his third European crown and a cheque for 142,214.

"Where are the French with the champagne?," smiled the 36-year-old. "Usually on a Sunday the guys would have been here for the celebration but I'll just have to do it on my own."

Meanwhile, Open champion Louis Oosthuizen has had to pull out of his Andalucian Open title defence in Malaga this week.

The same virus which almost prevented the South African from playing in the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami a fortnight ago has returned and doctors have advised him not to play for at least a week.

"I can't risk making the problems worse," said Oosthuizen, whose eye virus has spread into his mouth. He hopes to be well enough to play in next week's Shell Houston Open, his final warm-up event for The Masters starting on 7 April.