Chapman and Roe call it a day

ST ANDREWS, Scotland, Oct 8 (Reuters) Two British stalwarts on the European Tour ended their careers at the Dunhill Links Championship this weekend.

Roger Chapman, after playing his 617th event, only bettered by Sam Torrance who is on 701, called it a day after missing the cut yesterday.

In 24 years, Chapman, 47, won only once on the Tour, an event in Brazil in 2000.

Mark Roe, despite still being in with a chance of keeping his card, ended 21 years and over 500 events with a closing 67 at the Old Course today to finish in a tie for 15th place.

Roe, best known for the ''wrong cards'' incident at the 2003 British Open, where he lost a victory chance by forgetting to exchange cards with Jesper Parnevik, retired with three wins to his credit on the European Tour.

Today, Roe posed with his family, his reason for early retirement, for a picture at the famous Swilcan Bridge and said: ''There's no more special place to retire than the Home of Golf.

''I have two beautiful little girls I want to see more of. I have fallen out of love with travelling, not the game of golf.

''I've had my ups and downs in 21 years, the (2003) Open was not a down, just a hiccup on the way.'' Roe, 43, plans to stay in golf and may run a 'trick-shot' academy.

REUTERS DKB BST2252