Golf: Birdie finish snares ANZ Championship for Davis

SALAMANDER BAY - England's Brian Davis won the ANZ Championship at Horizons Golf Resort in Salamander Bay, New South Wales yesterday.

The 29-year-old carded a birdie on the last to finish with a 65 and move to 44 points in the modified stableford tournament, while closest chaser Steve Webster, also of England, self-destructed on the 18th with a double bogey to slip back into a share of fifth.

Davis started the day in 15th place, 12 points back, but four straight birdies on his front nine started his run to the $A315,000 ($358,900) first prize cheque.

Last year's winner of the co-sanctioned Australasian European event, Paul Casey of England, finished second on 43 points, with Australian amateur Nick Flanagan finishing in a share of third with France's Thomas Levet.

The best of the New Zealanders was Michael Campbell who finished in a share of 12th on 34 points.

Compatriots Michael Long finished on 29 points, Gareth Paddison 28 and David Smail 23.

* John Daly rolled in a 9.7m eagle putt at the 18th hole to take a one-shot lead over Stewart Cink after the third round of the US $4.5 million ($6.50 million) Buick Invitational yesterday.

Daly, 37, without a win on the PGA Tour since 1995, shot a four-under-par 68 at Torrey Pines South for a 13-under total of 203.

Overnight leader Cink carded a 71 and was one stroke ahead of Dennis Paulson and three in front of Steve Flesch.

Sweden's Jesper Parnevik, Australia's Stephen Leaney, Tom Pernice jnr and Brandt Jobe shared fifth place on 208.

Defending champion Tiger Woods recorded five bogeys and five birdies for a 72 and 211.

New Zealander Grant Waite is at 216 after rounds of 73, 69 and 74.

Since 1995, Daly, who has fought alcohol and gambling additions, has won in Europe at the 2001 BMW International Open, in South Korea at the 2003 Kolon Open and last November at the Callaway Invitational non-PGA Tour event at Pebble Beach.

- AGENCIES