Sweden's Mats Lanner followed up his 1994 Madeira Open victory by earning himself a twoyear exemption on the European Tour when winning again yesterday at Santo da Serra.

Four years ago Lanner clinched victory over 54 holes when fog caused by low cloud disrupted the event. This time, after a near threehour delay because of the same sort of cloud problems, the fog stayed away in the end just long enough for him to clinch a £50,000 win over 72 holes, by a stroke over New Zealand's latest find, Stephen Scahill.

The 37-year-old Lanner finished with a 73 for an 11-under-par total and the fog could not blot out his elation.

"It feels like getting my job back," he said after grinding out 17 pars on a final day when high winds also pushed up the scoring.

It was a nonedescript finish for the three Irish players. Waterville's David Higgins was best finisher in 51st place on seven-overpar after a 77, to earn £1,260. Stephen Hamill also shot 77 for 56th place and a prize of £960. But the Irishman left counting the cost most for his final round 80 and 16over-par, was Milltown's Francis Howley. By picking up a mere £442 pounds for last place of the weekend qualifiers, Howley was easily out of pocket for the week.