HILVERSUM, Netherlands, 13 June 2005 — Rookie Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano emulated his hero Severiano Ballesteros by securing his maiden victory in the Dutch Open yesterday.
Ballesteros’ first European Tour title came in the Netherlands in 1976, and his 24-year-old compatriot shot a closing three-under-par 67 to finish two shots ahead of Britain’s Gary Emerson.
While it took Ballesteros 27 events to claim his first title in his second year on tour, Fernandez-Castano needed only 16 tournaments to taste victory. He achieved the feat in typical Ballesteros style, holing out for an eagle-two on the third and running in several huge putts. Emerson began the final round a stroke ahead but a series of missed fairways and greens in a round of 70 put paid to the 41-year-old Briton’s chances of a second title after last year’s Russian Open success.
Kite Flying High at Booz Allen
In Bethesda, Maryland, veteran Tom Kite turned back the clock with a five-under 66 to grab the third round lead at the Booz Allen Classic in Potomac, Maryland on Saturday.
Kite moved in sight of his 20th PGA Tour title and a lifetime exemption as he mixed six birdies with a single bogey at the steamy Congressional Golf Club.
That left him on 10-under 203 just one-stroke clear at the top of a crowded leaderboard that features some of the game’s biggest names led by South Africa’s Ernie Els.
Els returned a three-under 68 as he joined a group of six players one shot back on nine-under 204 including defending champion Adam Scott, his fellow Australian Steve Elkington and Britain’s Lee Westwood, who all carded two-under 69s. Australian Stuart Appleby had the day’s joint top round, a flawless six-under 65 to also sit on nine-under while Britain’s Luke Donald joined the group with a four-under 67.
World No. 1 Vijay Singh, struggling to find his best form ahead of the year’s second major, signed for a three-under 68, leaving the Fijian with plenty of work to do but within striking distance of the title at five-under 208.
Imperious Sorenstam Extends LPGA Lead to Five Shots
In Havre de Grace, Maryland, Annika Sorenstam tightened her grip on a record third successive LPGA Championship after a third-round three-under-par 69 gave her a comfortable five-shot lead on Saturday.
The Swede had six birdies on the Bulle Rock Golf Course layout as the opposition wilted and she now appears certain to collect her second major of the year — the ninth of her career — to be halfway toward her goal of winning all four in one season. Sorenstam ended the day on 12-under 204, while South Korea’s Kim Young, who has never finished better than fifth in three years on Tour and has only had one top ten this season, eased into second place on seven-under-par after a 68.
