CHESHIRE rookie professional Paul Waring made sure he kept the European Tour card he won at his first attempt last year when he finished sixth in the Madrid Masters.

It was his highest position of the campaign, beating his ninth place in the Joburg Open in a year in which he also tied 19th in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

The former English Amateur champion and one time Cheshire team-mate of David Horsey, was consistent in all four rounds, closing with a 69 for 12-under-par and seven shots behind winner Charl Schwartzel.

The South African, part of Chubby Chandler's ISM stable, sealed a fine victory after producing a bogey free final round of 66 at Club de Campo for a minus 19 total.

He posted consecutive birdies at the 13th and 14th and when he picked up another shot at the 17th it spelled the end for those trying to overhaul him.

BIRCHWOOD'S Russell Caldecott faces Matthew Davies, from Rhuddlan, in the Cheshire and North Wales PGA Matchplay semi-finals at Wilmslow today. The other tie is between Bromborough assistant Tim Backhouse and Eastham Lodge's Matthew Blackhurst.