Golf: Australian title goes to local hero

MELBOURNE - Victorian Steve Allan made himself a home-town hero by winning the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday.

Allan survived a tense final round to shoot a two-under 68 to win by a shot from fellow Australians Aaron Baddeley and Craig Parry, and American Rich Beem.

Baddeley roared home with a round of 65, while Parry shot 68 and Beem 69.

Allan's three-round total of 198 was 12-under in a championship shortened to 54 holes after the greens became unplayable on the opening day.

Although he faltered in the home stretch, 29-year-old Allan held on tenaciously to the lead he had taken into the final round.

For Allan it was only his second win in professional golf, coming after his German Open victory in 1998.

American Charles Howell, who shot a 65 in the first round, finished three shots behind Allan, after a 70 yesterday.

Phil Tataurangi was the best of the eight New Zealanders contesting the final round. He charged up the leaderboard with a round of 65 to finish tied for 13th, seven shots off the pace.

Lefthander Gareth Paddison was two shots further back on 207 after a final round of 69.

Of the other New Zealanders, new US PGA Tour cardholder Steve Alker had a two-over 72 to finish at 210, Michael Long was at 211, Mahal Pearce 212, Marcus Wheelhouse 213 and Greg Turner and Alistair Sidford 215.

* In Miyazaki, Japan, Tiger Woods fired a four-under 67 for his best round of the tournament, but finished six strokes behind local favourite Kaname Yokoo in the US$1.65 million ($3.28 million) Dunlop Phoenix yesterday.

Yokoo carded five birdies against three bogeys for a 69 and a 72-hole total of 15-under 269. It was his first win since the 2000 Japan PGA Matchplay Championships.

Spain's Sergio Garcia finished a further stroke back at 270, while South Korea's KJ Choi was third at 13-under.

New Zealand's David Smail shot a final-round six-under 65 to finish on 277, eight shots off the pace in a tie for 10th.

Woods knocked down four birdies in his 67 to finish at 275.



Yokoo, who went into the final round with a one-stroke lead over Darren Clarke, of Northern Ireland, refused to falter.

He opened with four straight birdies on the front nine before adding another birdie against three bogeys after the turn.

Clarke struggled with his putting game and closed out with a 71, tied for fourth place with England's Justin Rose at 272.

Garcia, who started the final round four shots behind Yokoo, made it interesting with seven birdies against a pair of bogeys for a 66.

Defending champion David Duval shot a 68 to finish on 273.

- AGENCIES