JOSE-MARIA Olazabal failed in his bid for what would have been a remarkable second successive victory in New Orleans yesterday when Brad Faxon claimed his first victory in five years in the Freeport McDermott Classic.

Olazabal, playing only his. fourth event since his 18-month lay-off, had a chance to go into the US Masters with his fifth US Tour win when he started his 27-hole final day - the third round had been rain-affected - by closing to within one shot of the lead.

But poor driving, his inability to convert a host of chances and, understandably, some tiredness also cost the 1994 US Masters champion dear. He eventually finished joint seventh after a closing 72.

Faxon showed why he was the best putter in America last season to win by three strokes with final rounds of 66 and 69. for a 16-under-par total of 272.. Faxon earned £174,000.

Sweden's Jesper Parnevik. shot 66 to finish joint second with another American, Bill Glasson, holing birdie pulls of 10 and 45 feet at the 16th and 17th to earn £85,000 and claim his sixth top-five finish in nine tournaments in the States this season.

"Faxon pulled away and. there was nothing I could do," said Parnevik, who now heads for Augusta and his Masters debut.

"I don't know about next week as I've never been there. I'm just pleased to have played well today."

Olazabal said: "I feel a bit tired but alright. I was happy with my score but not the way I struck the ball. My feet still bother me but my game needs to be a bit sharper.

Colin Montgomerie has already fixed up a practice round at Augusta with Faxon tomorrow to try to find some pulling secrets. It looks a good move.

"I had a pretty good lead after my start but you think of all the stupid things you can do," said Faxon. "It was about time I won again."

He won over $1 million (around £670,000) last season without even tasting victory.

Parnevik now has every reason to go to his first Masters with confidence high. His performance took his 1997 earnings through the $500,000 (around £330,000) mark.