Played at the magnificent Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort the championship was memorable not only because Richard Finch's victory, but by his falling into the River Maigue after hitting his third shot on th 18th. His second shot ended up on the fringe of the riverbank but he still decided to go for the green. The mighty swipe he gave it knocked him off balance, and into the drink he went, much to the amusement of the surrounding specators. His caddie hauled him from the water and, dripping wet, he made his way to the green and took three putts which was enough to bank the 416,000 Euro first prize.

As the curtain raiser to the Open Championship the following week at Carnoustie, the Barclays Scottish Open attracted some of the biggest names in the world – Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Luke Donald and others all made the trip. It wasn’t, however, one of the big names who walked away with the £50,000 first prize – but a virtually unknown Frenchman - Gregory Havret - who holed a tricky 5-footer on the first extra hole to beat world no 3 Phil Mickelson in a play-off. The title also earned Havret the last remaining spot at the Open.