GREG NORMAN, the 1995 Player of the Year, picked up where he left off by winning the £1.2 million Doral-Ryder Open yesterday for the third time with a final round 66 on Doral's Blue Monster.

Norman caught fire on the back nine, collecting five birdies in an eight-hole stretch on his way to a 19-under-par total of 269 for a two-stroke margin over Fiji's Vijay Singh, who shot 68, and Michael Bradley, who finished with a 66.

After chipping in for birdie on the 17th hole to widen his lead to three strokes, Norman finished with a tap-in bogey on the last hole for his 16th career US Tour win and a £200,000 first-place check.

"Any win is great, but to come back and make five birdies on the back nine is especially good," Norman said. "I've got a few things to work on, but I've got enough time before the Masters in April."

It was Norman's second win in two starts. Three weeks ago he won the South Australia Open in Adelaide by a stroke over Jean-Louis Gueppy.

Doral has always been a good place for Norman. "I just feel comfortable here. I'm comfortable on the greens and on the tees. I've played it in all wind directions, I understand how to hit the shots here," he said. "I love the layout, it makes you use every aspect of your game.

Norman's comfort level here may explain why he was able to win, and with such seeming ease, when his game was not up to his high standard.

"A few flaws have worked their way into my game. I was hitting the ball okay, but not crisp. I think these victories can be more satisfying, winning even though not playing the way I want to play," Norman said.

"Winning when not in full song can be a very, very big confidence booster."

At the start of play yesterday Norman still had four holes to complete from the rain-delayed third round. He began on the 15th hole, tied with Singh at 12-under par. Both made a birdie coming in to begin the final round tied for the lead at 13-under par.

The two remained tied at the turn of the final round, having both picked up two birdies on the front nine.

Norman took the lead for the first time with a four-foot birdie on the par five 10th hole. He birdied the 12th, another par five, and then the 14th.

The Australian called the 20-footer he made on the 14th the key stroke of the round, because he made the putt after hearing the cheers from the hole ahead that told him Bradley had made a birdie to tie.

After that brief tie with Bradley, Norman pulled ahead of the pack. He birdied the 16th, and then chipped in at 17 to give himself a three-stroke cushion on the 18th tee.