Sports

Golf

Kim two-putts to Champs title

Associated Press
Published November 14, 2005

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MOBILE, Ala. - U.S. Solheim Cup star Christina Kim won her second career title Sunday, closing with 5-under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Rachel Hetherington in the LPGA Tournament of Champions.

Kim two-putted from 80 feet on the final hole, tapping in for par after Hetherington missed a 20-foot birdie attempt. The 21-year-old Kim celebrated with a hug from father-caddie Man Kim and a beer shower from fellow player Jennifer Rosales.

"I have been struggling since the Solheim and to know that I could come out there and be a champion of champions, it's an incredible feeling," Kim said. "All of the girls here know how to win and to win this event is just unbelievable."

Kim finished 15-under 273 on the Magnolia Grove Golf Club's Crossings Course and earned $138,000. She also won the 2004 Longs Drugs Challenge.

Hetherington shot 68 en route to the eighth runnerup finish of her career. She won the last of her eight Tour titles in 2003.

Liselotte Neumann, the 1996 winner, closed with 71 to finish third at 12 under. Hall of Famer Juli Inkster (69) followed at 11 under. Paula Creamer of Bradenton finished in a tie for 12th at 6 under.

Neumann, who started the final round with a one-shot edge, made a 7-foot eagle putt on the fourth hole and took a two-stroke advantage into the back nine. But Kim birdied Nos. 11 and 12 to gain a share of the lead.

Neumann handed the lead to Kim when she hit her tee shot into the right trees on the par-5 13th and made double bogey.

EUROPEAN PGA: David Howell turned his one-shot lead Saturday into a three-shot win at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, China.

Tiger Woods needed to make up three shots in the final three holes, but his comeback ended when his tee shot went into the water on the 16th.

Howell closed with 4-under-par 68 that left him at 20-under 268. Woods shot 70, a runnerup for the second straight week.

Nick Dougherty eagled the par-5 18th for 69 to tie for third with Nick O'Hern (73) at 274. Vijay Singh (69) and Thomas Bjorn (70) finished at 275.

The $5-million event is the richest in Asia, and Howell earned a first prize of $833,300.

Woods ended up bogeying the 288-yard 16th. He took a drop and had a chance to save par with a 5-foot putt but missed.

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SHOOTOUT: Kenny Perry and John Huston of Palm Harbor combined for 13-under 59 in the scramble format for a one-stroke victory over second-round leaders Fred Couples and Adam Scott. Perry and Huston, who each earned $315,000, totaled 30-under 186 on the Tiburon Golf Club course in Naples. Couples and Scott finished with 62.

[Last modified November 14, 2005, 01:04:15]

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