Golf: Final-round 65 shoots Kelly to victory

LEMONT - Jerry Kelly produced the joint lowest round of the day to win the US$4 million ($8.1 million) Western Open tournament by two shots from Davis Love in Illinois yesterday.

American Kelly, 35, who claimed his maiden US PGA Tour victory when he won the Hawaiian Open in January, shot a seven-under-par 65 at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club for a 19-under total of 269.

Love's final round of 66 left him on 17-under, with Brandt Jobe two shots further back in third. John Cook finished fourth on 274 after a closing 69.

In a tie for fifth were Australian pair Peter Lonard, who shot a 65 yesterday, and Stuart Appleby, 69, and American trio Duffy Waldorf, 69, Chris Riley, 69, and Neal Lancaster, 72.

Overnight leader Robert Allenby of Australia slumped with a three-over final round of 75 to finish seven shots behind the winner.

The three New Zealanders left in the field after the cut were well off the pace.

Grant Waite finished on 286 after rounds of 70 72 73 71; Frank Nobilo was also at 286 after a closing round of 68; and Craig Perks was one shot poorer after a final-round 72.

* Juli Inkster fired a closing 66 to win her second US Women's Open by two shots from Sweden's world No 1 Annika Sorenstam at the Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas, yesterday.

But New Zealander Lynnette Brooky had plenty to smile about, despite a disappointing three-over final-round 73 for a four-round total of 288. It was still good enough to have the Wellington golfer in a six-way tie for 12th place, and that was worth US$54,201 ($110,690).

The 42-year-old Inkster's four-under-par round equalled the best score of the week and gave her a four-under final total of 276. It was the seventh major victory of Inkster's career.

Sorenstam, 31, bidding to win the tournament for the third time, carded an even-par 70 for 278 and was the only other player in the field to complete the 72 holes under par.

Australian Shani Waugh, who shot a 72 yesterday, was third on 283, three over, with Spain's Raquel Carriedo in fourth place on 284.

- AGENCIES