Montgomerie gets his first senior victory

Colin Montgomerie won the Senior PGA Championship in Benton Harbor, Mich., on Sunday, finishing with a 6-under 65 for a four-stroke victory over 64-year-old Tom Watson.

It marked Montgomerie’s first victory as senior, his first win in seven years and his first in an official event in the United States. He also claimed a senior major in his fifth attempt, something he didn’t accomplish in 71 majors in his regular tour days.

The 51-year-old Scot finished at 13-under 261 at Harbor Shores. The victory was his first since he took the 2007 European Open for his 31st European Tour title.

Watson also closed with a 65.

Jay Haas and Bernhard Langer tied for third at 7 under. Haas had a 67, and Langer shot 70.

Watson, who made a bid to be the oldest player to win a senior event, had five consecutive pars to end his round while missing several birdie chances.

PGA Tour

Adam Scott made a 7-foot birdie putt on the third hole of a playoff to end his first week as the world’s No. 1 player with a victory at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jason Dufner, who made a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 18 in regulation, slid a 40-footer past when he and Scott played the 18th hole for the second time during the playoff. Scott then made the 7-footer for his 11th tour victory.

The major champions parred the 18th to start the playoff, then matched birdies at the 17th hole. Dufner hit his approach there pin high to 41/2 feet, but 2013 Masters champ Scott drained a 14-foot birdie before Dufner putted.

LPGA

Jessica Korda won the Airbus LPGA Classic in Mobile, Ala., for her second victory of the year, birdieing four of the last five holes to break out of a tight pack.

Korda made a breaking 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke victory over Anna Nordqvist.

Also the winner in the season-opening event in the Bahamas, Korda played the back nine in 6-under 30 to finish at 20-under 268 on The Crossings course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Magnolia Grove complex.

European Tour

Rory McIlroy put aside the anguish in his private life to win the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship in Virginia Water, England.

The double major winner came from seven shots back at the start of the final round to shoot a 6-under 66 and win by 1 stroke with an overall 14-under 274 on the Wentworth course.

McIlroy’s 12th victory worldwide comes four days after the 25-year old Northern Irishman confirmed the breakdown in his relationship with Danish-born tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.