Courage took different forms at The K Club yesterday, when a particularly cool hero, Per-Ulrik Johansson, had a crushing, six-stroke victory in the £850,000 Smurfit European Open. By successfully defending the title, the 30-year-old Swede equalled the all-time scoring record for an Irish tour event, with a 21-under-par aggregate of 267.

Then, after pocketing a winner's cheque for £141,660 (sterling), he expressed a liking for the simple things in life - like freshly-squeezed orange juice and fresh, homemade Irish soda bread. "Now that I can afford it, I am looking for a baker who can supply me with the bread wherever I travel," he said.

Meanwhile, there was also inspiring heroism from Jose-Maria Olazabal, who dutifully did his master's bidding - and with some relish. His share of third place meant that European skipper, Seve Ballesteros, could effectively count on him as an automatic choice in the Ryder Cup team, which will be finalised next week.

Facing the last two holes, Olazabal hadn't worked out the fine detail of his situation. Professional instincts told him, however, that he needed one more birdie. And the pressure was heightened when he missed from six feet at the short 17th.

Then came the additional challenge of a pushed drive into rough down the last. From there, however, the one-time sorcerer's apprentice knocked a prudent, nineiron recovery out on to the fairway; followed it with a sandwedge to 10 feet and then holed the putt for a round of 65 and a share of third place.

Not since he captured the World Series for a second time at Firestone on this weekend three years ago, had Olazabal enjoyed such a thrilling finish. It prompted him to punch the air with delight and for good measure, he raised both arms in triumph before bowing graciously to the gallery.

Did he reckon he had brought a smile to Seve's face? "It certainly brings a smile to mine," he replied. "It was good to finish the job that I started with a third round of 67. This was probably the best I have played since the Irish Open at Druids Glen last month."

It contrasted sharply with a rather muted finale by Padraig Harrington, who parred the last for a round of 72 and a share of a 50th place. "Now, instead of looking over my shoulder, it would appear that I'll have to do the chasing in Munich," he said. "I have one more go at making the team and I'm looking forward to it."

Johansson, meanwhile, was the only player in the field to break 70 in all four rounds - just like Bernhard Langer did when setting the target of 21-under-par in the Irish Open at Royal Dublin in 1984. And the Swede joined a long list of players who have successfully defended important titles in this country, the most recent being Colin Montgomerie, at Druids Glen last month.

His achievement marked yet another milestone in the remarkable development of Swedish golf. In that context, 17 years is a relatively short time, yet it was as recently as 1980 that the virtually unknown Gunnar Muellar, became the first Swede to compete in a tour event in this country. And he duly missed the Irish Open cut at Portmarnock.

Johansson's skill and temperament, however, have allowed him to aspire to far greater heights. And he has succeeded in making certain of his place in the Ryder Cup team. Indeed the entire process of qualifying for the biennial clash with the Americans, produced a series of sub-plots to the overall drama.

Costantino Rocca's share of fifth place also secures his place in the team. Such thoughts were far from the mind of Peter Baker, however, despite his impact on the event at The Belfry in 1993. Up to a few weeks ago, his primary concern for this season was to retain his European Tour card.

Now, a second-place finish, added to a share of third in the Scandinavian Masters a few weeks ago, has lifted him to 21st in the Order of Merit with earnings of £163,940 (sterling). He attributed his dramatic change of fortune to veteran Yorkshire coach Bill Ferguson, who "has turned my game around."

Baker explained: "I had become hopeless but things immediately started to get better when I began seeing Bill. And there is still some improvement to be made." For the moment, however, the Englishman was happy to settle for a bogey-free final round of 68, even if the winner never came within his sights.

Birdies abounded as sunshine returned to Straffan and once more, the course had little defence against a high-quality field. If anything, a delay of one hour and 40 minutes, caused by morning fog, seemed to spur competitors to greater spectacle as they sallied forth in rearranged three-balls.

While Johansson was heading towards the lowest aggregate in Europe so far this season, scoring ranged from a hole in one at the 170-yard 12th, where England's Miles Tunnicliff won a £15,500 Renault Scenic car, to a lone seven from Jose Coceres at the treacherous seventh. And there was an eagle two at the second by Jonathan Lomas.

Against that background, Harrington's return was clearly a disappointment. "It hasn't been a good tournament for me," he admitted. "It's all a learning process and I wasn't too concerned about the pressure. But it's been a long examination, lasting almost a year and it has shown me how hard it is to get the necessary points in dribs and drabs, without a win."

On the credit side, however, he was looking towards the final qualifying event with optimism. "I feel better about my game," he said, reflecting on a round that contained only two birdies and started with a three-putt bogey at the first.

After Johansson had gone through the turn at 20-under for 63 holes, Rocca was six strokes behind at 14-under. But a fiveway battle for third place involved Brian Davis, Miguel-Angel Jimenez, Baker, Per Haugsrud and Olazabal, all on 12 under. Montgomerie was a stroke further back.

The homeward journey took its toll, however, notably on Jimenez who carded four fives and a six on the way to a 41, while Montgomerie slipped to a 39. All of which meant that the leader had absolutely no cause for concern, particularly after a 12-footer found the target for a birdie on the 10th.

"It was tough to play with such a clear lead," he said. "I became too defensive and found myself thinking `is it possible to lose this tournament?' But I got myself back on track and it was really nice to play the last 54 holes without a bogey. I don't think I've ever done that before."

Olazabal, who used Softspikes throughout the tournament, left the scene with very different thoughts. "I have a problem with the third toe of my right foot and I intend to see my specialist in Munich this week," he said. "It is not a serious problem but I haven't seen him since the Italian Open (in early May)."

Finally, with classic Swedish pragmatism, Johansson reminded us all of a notoriously fickle game. "You know it goes good only two per cent of the time," he said. "So you are not often happy." With that, he permitted himself a quiet smile.