WOBURN, 27 September 2004 — Sweden’s Henrik Stenson ended a three-year barren spell with a four-stroke victory in The Heritage yesterday to take his second European Tour title. Stenson fired a closing 66 to finish at 19 under par, four clear of Spain’s Carlos Rodiles, and claim the $400,000 first prize. Rodiles came from five strokes off the lead to threaten Stenson before the winner’s four birdies over the last five holes ended the Spanish challenge. Rodiles’s round of 65 relegated Patrik Sjoland to third place, six shots behind his compatriot. Denmark’s Anders Hansen finished fourth, a further stroke back.
Padraig Harrington failed in his bid for a top-eight place to get into the World Matchplay Championship, the Irish Ryder Cup hero finishing only 37th, 15 strokes behind Stenson. His compatriot Gary Murphy claimed the tour’s sixth albatross (double-eagle) of the season and had the best round of the week, a 64, for a ninth-place finish.
Singh Still in the Lead Despite Poor Round
In Farmington, Pennsylvania, Vijay Singh shot an even-par 72 Saturday, nothing special but good enough to maintain a two-stroke lead after the third round of the $4.2 million PGA Tour event here.
But American Chris DiMarco couldn’t take advantage, picking up a stroke with a one-under 71 for 206. He was one shot ahead of Jonathan Byrd (67) and Matt Gogel (68).
Zach Johnson shot a 70 to move into a tie for fifth at 208 with Kent Jones, who carded a 71. They were a stroke in front of a group of seven featuring Ryder Cup team member Stewart Cink, who fired a 67. Ben Curtis, the 2003 British Open champion who began the day two shots behind Singh, ballooned to a nine-over 81 for 215.
Korea’s Wi Coasts to 3-Stroke Win in Taiwan Open
Korea’s Charlie Wi coasted to a three-stroke victory in the $300,000 Taiwan Open yesterday after a four-under-par 68 in the final round completed his remarkable turnaround in the tournament.
Wi, who opened his tournament with a pair of 76s before moving into contention by matching the course-record 64 on Saturday, finished well ahead of Australian Terry Pilkadaris, who closed with a 72.
Overnight co-leaders Gaurav Ghei of India and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chie-hsiang slumped to joint third and equal fifth respectively after rounds of 74 and 75. Starting the day two behind Ghei and Lin, Wi began strongly with birdies on the second and fourth holes and tied Ghei for the lead when the Indian dropped a bogey on the sixth.
Lindley Leads by One at LPGA
In Auburn, California, American Leta Lindley carded a six-under 65 Saturday to overtake overnight leader Juli Inkster and take a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the one million-dollar LPGA Tour event here.
Inkster, who started the day atop the leaderboard, shot a 68 for 200. Christina Kim, a 20-year-old California native who led after the first round, was a further stroke back after a 68 that put her two shots ahead of Australian Karrie Webb (69).
