Neumann Wins Welch’s

Liselotte Neumann birdied two of the first three holes Sunday and was never seriously challenged as she posted a three-shot victory over Nancy Harvey in the LPGA Welch’s Championship in Canton, Mass.

The title was the first of the year for Neumann and her ninth on the LPGA tour. She and Harvey, who hasn’t won in eight-plus year on tour, began the final round tied for the lead at 10-under-par - four shots better than the rest of the field.

Neumann finished with a 12-under 276 total and earned $82,500. Harvey’s 279 was three strokes ahead of Karrie Webb and meant a second-place check of $51,201, more money than she had won in any previous year on tour.

David Graham moved into contention with an eagle on No. 15 then birdied the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Larry Nelson and Bud Allin in the Senior PGA Comfort Classic in Indianapolis.

Graham shot a 7-under-par 65, including a 5-under 31 on the back nine, for a 54-hole total of 16-under 200. Nelson, playing in only his second event on the tour, shot a closing 67 and Allin, who led for most of the final round, had a 66, including a bogey on 18.

Colin Montgomerie showed he’s ready for this week’s Ryder Cup, shooting a closing-round, 9-under-par 63 in the British Masters in Coventry, England, to finish one shot behind winner Greg Turner of New Zealand. Turner closed with a 70 for a 13-under 275.

Tiger Woods’ father reportedly is angry at not being invited to the Ryder Cup and will skip the tournament in protest.

“This is my protest at the way (the PGA) treat the parents,” he told a British newspaper. “It makes no sense and it’s not justified. Tiger is only 21 and does not have a girlfriend, but they don’t think enough of the parents to invite them instead. I could go and stand with 25,000 spectators while the wives and girlfriends are inside the ropes, but I would not be part of the official party. I could not go to the dinners and other functions. I would be an outsider. Why should I go all that way to be treated like dirt?”