KEITH NOLAN recovered his composure on the back nine of the Masters course at Manila Southwoods yesterday to help Britain and Ireland finish equal fifth in the Eisenhower Trophy.

The 23 year old Irish international was disappointed with a return of 77, but after a catalogue of disasters on the outward stretch it was no mean achievement.

Nolan made the worst possible start with a double bogey at the first after going out of bounds, and shots went at regular intervals after that, culminating in another double bogey after finding the water at the ninth.

Holing out from the edge of the 10th green for birdie gave him some encouragement, and he picked up five more strokes on the way home, his only blemish coming at the 15th when he again found water.

Nolan's 77 had to count, because Scottish champion Michael Brooks took 78. Gary Wolstenholme, with a 69, and Barclay Howard with a 72, redressed the balance, and on a day when the scoring was generally high, Britain and Ireland moved up from their overnight position of ninth.

Australia, who led the tournament from day one, were worthy world champions, finishing 11 strokes clear of Sweden with Spain third

"The first two days were fun but the last two have been disappointing," reflected Nolan. "We probably could have done better, but the conditions out here are extremely tough."

They certainly were and Nolan, in keeping with a player who sets such high standards, was perhaps a little too self critical. Captain Clive Brown was more satisfied: "To finish fifth equal was a fine performance in this level of company and especially as we looked out of contention for a top 10 place at one stage during the afternoon," he said.

. Masashi (Jumbo) Ozaki won the 100th tournament of his career yesterday, coasting to a three shot triumph over younger brother Naomichi Joe Ozaki and veteran American Tom Watson at the Dunlop Phoenix in Miyazaki, Japan.

I won my first tournament on this course 25 years ago and to win my 100th here is like a dream come true," said Ozaki, 49.