Hoch Takes U.S. Title

Scott Hoch, battling wind, drizzle and fatigue, played 40 holes to win the American title at the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf.

Hoch defeated Lee Janzen 3 and 1 in the finals of the match-play format, after needing five extra holes to beat defending U.S. champion Mark McCumber in the semifinals earlier in the day.

In the absence of a worldwide tour, the event is the closest golf comes to crowning a world champion. Sectional winners from the United States, Japan, Europe and the rest of the world will meet in the finals Jan. 4-5 in Scottsdale, Ariz.