Golf: Classic winner overcomes late challenge and bogeys

Justin Leonard overcame a late challenge from Heath Slocum, and two bogeys on his back nine, to win the WorldCom Classic by a shot at Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head, South Carolina yesterday.

Leonard, the 1997 British Open champion, carded a final round of 73 to finish at 14-under-par 270, while Slocum, who ran up a double-bogey at the 16th, closed with a 70 for the best PGA Tour finish of his career.

New Zealand's Frank Nobilo finished in a tie for 10th on 276 after a fine 66 in the closing round.

World No 2 and second-round leader Phil Mickelson finished third for the fourth time in his last five starts, shooting an even-par 71 to finish at 12-under 272. Germany's Bernhard Langer returned a 69 for fourth place a further shot back.

The 29-year-old Leonard, who began the final round three shots ahead of Cameron Beckman and four clear of Slocum and Mickelson, clinched the seventh title of his US Tour career and his first since winning last year's Texas Open.

* Cristie Kerr survived a final round near-disaster to capture her first LPGA Tour women's title at Twelve Bridges Golf Club at Lincoln, California yesterday.

Kerr finished with a four-round total of eight-under 280, holding off South Korean Hee-Won Han by one stroke.

New Zealand's Marnie McGuire finished in a tie for eighth on two-under after shooting a second-consecutive 69 to follow opening rounds of 75 and 73. McGuire finished level with leading tour names Se Ri Pak of Korea and American Juli Inkster.

- AGENCIES