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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Leishman rallies for 1st PGA win

Associated Press

Marc Leishman shot an early 8-under 62 and won the Travelers Championship at Cromwell, Conn., for his first PGA Tour title Sunday when Charley Hoffman blew a two-stroke lead.

The 28-year-old Australian began the day six strokes behind the leaders, but made eight birdies and no bogeys, then sat in the clubhouse for over two hours and watched. He finished at 14-under 266.

Hoffman was 16 under heading to the 17th hole, but pushed his tee shot right and into the water. He made a double bogey, and bogeyed the 18th after failing to get up and down from a greenside bunker.

Hoffman closed with a 66 to tie for second with Masters champion Bubba Watson, who shot a 65.

Leishman became the fifth player in seven years to break through with their first tour win at River Highlands, joining Fredrik Jacobson last year, Watson in 2010, Hunter Mahan in 2007 and J.J. Henry in 2006.

The 62 was the lowest score in a final round by a champion on tour this season.

LPGA

Brittany Lang won the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic at Waterloo, Ontario, for her first LPGA Tour title, birdieing the par-5 18th three straight times in a playoff.

Lang, the first former Duke player to win on the LPGA Tour, missed a birdie try on the hole in regulation, leaving her tied with South Korean players Hee Kyung Seo, Inbee Park and Chella Choi at 16-under 286.

Choi was eliminated on the first extra hole, and Park dropped out on the second. On the third extra hole, Lang hit her approach into a greenside bunker and blasted out to 6 feet to set up her winning birdie putt.

Lang closed with her second straight 67, Choi had a 63, Seo a 67, and Park a 69.

Champions Tour

Mark Calcavecchia won the Montreal Championship for his second Champions Tour title, matching the course record with an 8-under 64 for a four-stroke victory.

The 52-year-old Calcavecchia had six birdies and chipped in for eagle on the par-5 16th hole on Richelieu Valley’s Vercheres Course. He finished at 16-under 200.

Brad Bryant shot a 65 to finish second.

Second-round leader Bob Tway and first-round leader Russ Cochran tied for third at 11 under. Cochran closed with a 68, and Tway had a 70.