Winning on the European Challenge Tour has become habit-forming for David Higgins. The Waterville 27-year-old completed his third victory in as many months when he won the Rolex Trophy Proam in Geneva.

A closing round of 69 for a 17-under-par tally of 271 left Higgins four strokes clear of second-placed Carlos Larrain from Venezuela and five ahead of Fredrik Henge from Sweden. Higgins was out in 34 with two birdies and back in 35 with one.

Having already confirmed his European Tour card for next year, Higgins was looking to extend his lead at the top of the Challenge Tour Order of Merit and he did just that after picking up the top prize of 16,000 Swiss francs as well as a Rolex watch. "I was happy with the way I played and with my amateur partners over all four days," he said.

Suzanne O'Brien and Alison Coffey flew home yesterday as the proud holders of a bronze medal after helping Britain and Ireland take third place in the Women's World Amateur Team Championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy in Berlin.

They finished with a 72 hole total of 591 - 15 over par - while France became the champions for the first time since the inaugural event in their own country 36 years ago. They had a total of 580, seven strokes clear of silver medallists Korea.

O'Brien finished with a 78 while Coffey shot 80 for a 72 hole total of 306 and for a time it looked as if Coffey's score might be needed because of the countback possibilities incase of a tie. But Rebecca Hudson made sure that was not necessary as she played the last twelve holes in two-under-par which included a brilliant birdie two at the 17th. Captain Mary McKenna, who played in three Espirito Santo tournaments herself and has been Captain four times, paid a glowing tribute to her side. "They all showed tremendous battling qualities. This is the Olympics of golf and to return with a medal for the first time for eight years is quite an achievement."

American Juli Inkster took the £45,000 first prize despite dropping three shots at the final two holes in yesterday's final round of the Compaq Open at Barseback, near Malmo, Sweden. Inkster, one ahead after a course record-equalling 67 in the third round, could only manage a four-over-par 76 in a final round of high winds, and sneaked the trophy by one from Sweden's Sophie Gustafson. Another Swede, Annika Sorenstam, finished third on four under after dropping a shot at the 18th, while Catriona Matthew, with a 70, was the leading Briton in fourth place on three under.