Golf
Ogilvy strong in title defense MARANA, Ariz. (AP) – The streak is alive at the Accenture Match Play Championship.
And it belongs to Geoff Ogilvy.
With so much attention on Tiger Woods’ bid for an eighth straight PGA Tour victory, Ogilvy streaked into the championship match Saturday by winning his 10th and 11th in a row in a strong defense of his title. The U.S. Open champion has been so dominant that he hasn’t played the 18th hole since a practice round Tuesday.
In the frosty morning and sunny afternoon at The Gallery, the 29-year-old Australian dispatched Paul Casey 5 and 4 in the quarterfinals, then Chad Campbell in the semifinals with one clutch putt after another in a 3-and-2 victory.
Ogilvy will face Sweden’s Henrik Stenson in the 36-hole final, the first time in the nine-year history of the event that an American hasn’t reached the title match.
Stenson beat Nick O’Hern 1-up in the quarterfinals, and topped Trevor Immelman 3 and 2 in the semifinals. On Friday, O’Hern beat Woods in 20 holes in the third round.
Mayakoba Golf Classic
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico – Fred Funk overcame back problems to shoot a 6-under 64 for a two-stroke lead over Argentina’s Jose Coceres after the third round of the Mayakoba Golf Classic, the first PGA Tour event in Mexico.
The 50-year-old Funk is trying to join Craig Stadler as the only players to win on the regular tour after winning a Champions Tour event. Funk’s Champions victory came a month ago in Hawaii, when he won the Turtle Bay Championship by 11 strokes.
Funk, who opened with a 62, had a 15-under 195 total. Coceres shot a 65.
Peter Lonard (67) and Cameron Beckman (69) were 10 under.
The ACE Group Classic
NAPLES, Fla. – Allen Doyle shot a 5-under 67 in windy conditions to take a one-stroke lead over Bobby Wadkins and Champions Tour newcomer Mark O’Meara after the second round of The ACE Group Classic.
Doyle, an 11-time winner on the 50-and-over tour, had a 12-under 132 total on the Quail West Golf and Country Club course. O’Meara, making his second Champions Tour start, shot a 68, and Wadkins followed his opening 64 with a 69.
Mike Reid was 10 under after his second straight 67, and Des Smyth (67) and Eduardo Romero (69) followed at 9 under.
New Zealand PGA
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – Nationwide Tour player Ryan Howison shot a 2-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead over Australia’s James Nitties in the New Zealand PGA.
Howison had a 6-under 210 total on the Clearwater course in the event sanctioned by the Nationwide and Australasian tours. Nitties shot a 72.
LPGA
KAPOLEI, Hawaii – Rookie Angela Park managed to catch Stacy Prammanasudh for a share of the lead Saturday heading into the final round of the Fields Open.
The 18-year-old Park, making her second LPGA Tour start as a pro, was on the verge of becoming the youngest winner in tour history.
“I really don’t have that in mind during the round or when I’m warming up,” she said. “But if I do get that privilege to win and actually win it, how awesome would that be? It would be a great honor.”
Park and Prammanasudh shot 68s and were at 10-under 134 after two rounds. The final round was scheduled to be completed late Saturday.
With a three-hour rain delay Friday, Park was among 70 players who had to return to the course Saturday morning to complete the second round. Skies were mostly clear with slight tradewinds.