By The Associated Press

SHANGHAI, China -England’s David Howell held off Tiger Woods in the HSBC Champions on Sunday, closing with a 4-under 68 for a three-stroke victory.

Howell, who began the round with a one-stroke lead over Woods, finished with a 20-under 268 total to claim the $833,300 first-place check in the $5 million event, the richest tournament in Asia. Woods shot a 70.

Howell, a surprising star in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over the United States last year, extended his lead to four strokes with three birdies on the first five holes and overcame bogeys on Nos. 8 and 9 to win his third European tour title.

The 30-year-old Englishmen also won the BMW International Open in Germany in August, beating John Daly by a stroke.

England’s Nick Dougherty eagled the par-5 18th for a 69 to tie for third with Australia’s Nick O’Hern (73) at 14 under. Vijay Singh (69) and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn (70) finished at 13 under on the Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club course.

LPGA

MOBILE, Ala. – U.S. Solheim Cup star Christina Kim won her second career title, closing with a 5-under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Australia’s Rachel Hetherington in the Mitchell Company 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 then celebrated with a hug from father-caddie Man Kim and a beer shower from fellow player Jennifer Rosales.

Kim finished with a 15-under 273 total on the Magnolia Grove Golf Club’s Crossings Course and earned $138,000. She also won the 2004 Longs Drugs Challenge. Hetherington shot a 68 en route to the eighth runner-up finish of her career. She won the last of her eight LPGA Tour titles in 2003.

Sweden’s Liselotte Neumann, the 1996 winner, closed with a 71 to finish third at 12 under. Hall of Famer Juli Inkster (69) followed at 11 under.

Franklin Templeton Shootout

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) – Kenny Perry and John Huston won the Franklin Templeton Shootout, combining for a 13-under 59 in the scramble format for a one-stroke victory over Fred Couples and Adam Scott.

Perry and Huston, who each earned $315,000, had a 30-under 186 total on the Tiburon Golf Club course. They opened the event with a 64 in modified alternate shot and had a 63 on Saturday in the best-ball round.

Couples and Scott finished with a 62.

Mark O’Meara and Nick Price (60) were third at 27 under. Tournament host Greg Norman, playing a month after minor knee surgery, and Steve Elkington shot a 17-under 55 to finish fourth at 26 under. They birdied every hole but two and eagled No. 17.

AP-ES-11-13-05 1747EST