GOLF ROUNDUP : This Time, Singh Wins in Five Extra Holes
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Vijay Singh, who went 22 holes without a birdie, made a 12-foot putt on the fifth playoff hole for his first birdie Sunday to beat Doug Martin and win the $1.2-million Buick Classic for the second time in three years.
Singh, who started the day with a one-stroke lead, shot a one-over-par 72 to finish at 278. Martin, who was four strokes behind with seven holes to play, made four birdies down the stretch for a 69 and a share of the 72-hole lead at the Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y.
Back and neck injuries kept Singh, a 32-year-old native of Fiji, from defending his title last year. To win the Buick in 1993, Singh needed a three-hole playoff to beat Mark Wiebe.
“The fact that I won here before made today’s win a little sweeter,” Singh said. “I really felt as if I was the defending champion.”
The five-hole playoff was the longest on the PGA Tour since Scott Hoch beat Robert Wrenn in five holes at Las Vegas in 1989.
Bobby Wadkins had a 72 and hung on for third at 279.
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Jim Colbert, with five birdies in an eight-hole stretch, won the $900,000 Bell Atlantic Senior Classic, his third Senior PGA Tour title of the year.
Colbert’s two-under 68 gave him a 207 total and a one-stroke victory over J.C. Snead, who led the first two rounds at the Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pa.
Snead shot a 70 to finish one ahead of Jack Nicklaus, who had a final-round 68.
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Chris Johnson had four birdies on the back nine to overtake Juli Inkster and win the $500,000 Star Bank LPGA Classic by one stroke.
Johnson’s five-under 67 gave her a 210 total. It was her seventh victory in 15 years on the tour, but first since 1991.
Inkster began the day with a three-shot lead but bogeyed three of the last six holes, including the 18th.
She finished at 211 after a final-round 74 on the 6,319-yard Country Club of the North course at Dayton, Ohio.
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