Golf: New champion keeps it cool

IRVING - Robert Damron upstaged a world-class field to win the $US4.5 million ($10.77 million) Byron Nelson Classic in a playoff in Irving, Texas, yesterday and claim his first US PGA Tour title.

The 28-year-old American displayed poise under pressure to birdie the fourth extra hole and beat compatriot Scott Verplank after they had finished 72 holes equal on 17-under 263.

Damron and Verplank started the final round in a tie for the lead and both shot 66 to finish three strokes ahead of compatriots Tiger Woods (63) and David Duval (67), and Zimbabwe's Nick Price (67), who led at one stage before falling back with a bogey at the 17th.

New Zealand's Grant Waite closed with 71 to finish 10 shots behind the leaders.

Damron and Verplank made regulation pars at the first three extra holes before Damron sank his winning putt from 15 feet at the par-three 17th.

He collected $US810,000 ($1,939,191) for his first victory in 132 events on the tour. It came against a field that included 13 of the top 18 players on the world rankings.

* Swedish rookie Henrik Stenson followed up his Challenge tour rankings success last year with victory on the full European tour when he captured the Benson and Hedges International Open at Sutton Coldfield in England yesterday.

Stenson's closing two-under 70, completed moments before a huge thunderstorm at the Belfry, for a 13-under total of 275, earned him $US230,000 ($546,708) as he finished three shots in front of Ireland's Paul McGinley and Angel Cabrera, of Argentina.

The 25-year-old Swede became the sixth first-time winner in 19 European tour events this year.

After sharing the opening round lead with McGinley, Stenson pulled away to lead the next two rounds by three strokes.

Yesterday, he had the worry of a double bogey at the ninth when his ball landed under the steep greenside bunker face, which cut his lead to only two shots.

But he immediately eased his fears in spectacular style by chipping in from the back bank at the 10th hole, after opting to go for the green over the hazard instead of a safe lay-up.

That established a five-stroke lead and, despite pressure from Cabrera and McGinley, Stenson showed remarkable calm for one with little full-tour experience.

* Hall of Fame member Juli Inkster shot a seven-under 65 to hold off Annika Sorenstam and Catriona Matthew in the Electrolux USA Championship in Franklin, Tennessee.

Sorenstam struggled with her putting in a round of 70 to fall short in a bid for her second consecutive victory and the sixth in her last seven events.

Inkster had eight birdies and a bogey in her best round of the year (65) for a 14-under total of 274.

Matthew closed with a 69 to finish a stroke back, and Sorenstam followed at 276.

- AGENCIES