Norman Storms To World Series Win

Golf

Greg Norman had three birdies in a four-hole span on the back nine Sunday and pulled away to a four-stroke victory, continuing his mastery of the NEC World Series of Golf in Akron, Ohio.

Norman took command by staying out of trouble and picking his spots for the easy win over defending champion Phil Mickelson. His final-round 3-under-par 67, after rounds of 68, 68 and 70, left him at 7-under 273. He collected $396,000 and a 10-year PGA Tour exemption while battling heavy rains that pelted the course most of the day.

It was the 18th PGA Tour victory of his career and his second of the year.

The 42-year-old Australian followed three pars with a birdie on the par-4 4th to gain a share of the lead with John Cook and Mickelson. Bogeys at Nos. 6 and 7 dropped Norman two shots off the pace, but he began his resurgence with a birdie at 8.

He then rolled in a 25-foot putt for birdie at the 11th and his tee shot at the par-3 12th ended up 12 feet from the pin. The slippery, sidehill putt gave him the lead.

European Open

Defending champion Per-Ulrik Johansson shot a 3-under-par 69 to rout the field in the European Open in Dublin, Ireland. Johansson finished 21 under par at 267, six strokes ahead of England’s Peter Baker, who closed with a 68.

Jose Maria Olazabal and Scotland’s Raymond Russell, who had a 66, finished at 274.

Star Bank LPGA

Colleen Walker shot a 5-under-par 67 to finish at 13-under 203 and win the Star Bank LPGA Classic in Beavercreek, Ohio, by two strokes and collect the $82,500 first prize plus a $100,000 bonus.

Terry-Jo Myers, a two-time winner this year, closed with a 66 - the day’s lowest round - to finish second. Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum, Idaho, shot her third straight round of 70 to finsh at 210, seven strokes back and good for a $7,269 payday.

Seniors

Bruce Summerhays made a 1-foot par putt on the second playoff hole to beat Hugh Baiocchi and win the $1 million Saint Luke’s Classic in Belton, Mo.

Summerhays, winless in 97 Senior PGA Tour tournaments, shot a 5-under-par 65 to come from six strokes back and force the playoff with Baiocchi, who had held or shared the lead the first two days but faded to a 71 Sunday. The two had 54-hole totals of 11-under 199.

Greater Vancouver Open

Mark Calcavecchia, playing again with a putter he swiped from Jeff Maggert, shot a 5-under-par 66 for a one-stroke victory over Andrew Magee in the Greater Vancouver Open in Surrey, British Columbia.

Calcavecchia had a 19-under 265 total for his eighth PGA Tour title. Magee shot his second straight 65. He missed a 12-foot birdie attempt on the final hole.

Compaq Open

Annika Sorenstam closed with a 2-under-par 70 for a six-stroke victory in the Compaq Open in Stockholm, Sweden, her sixth title of the year, and first in her homeland.

Catrin Nilsmark, who is eight months pregnant, showed no signs of tiring in the heat, with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes. She finished with a 71, as her 283 beat Nancy Lopez by two shots for second.