Mayfair Holds Off Woods In Overtime

Golf

Billy Mayfair ended a two-year run of bad putts, bad bounces and self-doubt. Tiger Woods came oh-so-close again, but was left looking for his first tour win since July.

Mayfair, who won two tournaments and finished second on the money list in 1995 then slipped into a slump, caught Woods by sinking a 4-foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation Sunday.

He then rolled in a 5-footer for another birdie on the same hole shortly thereafter to win the Nissan Open in Valencia, Calif.

Woods, who has finished second twice and third once in tour events this year, shot a closing 5-under-par 66 that included birdies on three of his last four holes in regulation.

But his pitch from 40 yards on the first playoff hole rolled 18 feet beyond the pin, and his putt coming back stayed left, giving Mayfair his chance.

“Having won and having beaten the best player out here, it’s awesome,” said Mayfair, who was in the group behind Woods and had a 67 to finish at 12-under.

Woods was happy with his effort.

“The great thing is, granted that I didn’t win, but that I birdied three of the last four,” Woods said. “I wanted to go to 12-under, which I thought would be a winning number, and I did.

“Billy played great, played steady golf.”

Asked if he would reflect on “letting this one get away,” Woods said, “I don’t see it as getting away from me. I was right there. I made some good putts, hit some good shots. And I had a chance on the first playoff hole.”

Woods enjoyed the fact that Charlie Sifford, the first black player to win a tour event, was honored at the event.

“It was a special week,” Woods said. “Charlie is like a grandfather to me.”

Australian Ladies Masters

Playing before family and friends, Karrie Webb finally won in her home country.

Webb’s five-stroke victory at the Australian Ladies Masters in Gold Coast, Australia, left her in tears.

A year ago, Webb blew a four-shot lead in the final round of this event, which is part of the regular LPGA tour.

This time, there was no repeat. She shot rounds of 69-69-64-70 to finish at 16-under 272, holding off Annika Sorenstam.

Sorenstam twice drew within two shots but never caught Webb.

Dubai Desert Classic

Weakened by the flu and unable to eat solid food, Jose Maria Olazabal left Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a winner.

He came from three strokes behind to capture the $1.2 million Dubai Desert Classic by three shots.

The Spaniard shot a 4-under-par 68 to finish at 19-under 269 after starting the day three shots behind leader Robert Karlsson. Australia’s Stephen Allan finished second.