SUNNINGDALE, England  — Loren Roberts of the United States won his second Senior British Open title on Sunday, beating Mark McNulty on the third hole of a sudden death playoff.

Fred Funk also took part in the playoff at Sunningdale, but the American was eliminated on the first extra hole when he could only make par as Roberts and McNulty birdied.
The remaining pair parred the second playoff hole before Roberts clinched victory with another par at the next.

Greg Norman, the third-round leader, missed birdie chances at the first three holes and double-bogeyed the 17th after driving into trees. Norman finished in a tie for sixth place, three strokes behind the leaders.

“My game felt good, no question about it. I just lack a lot of match practice,” Norman said.

Roberts, who won in 2006 at Turnberry, and Funk each shot a 67 in the final round. McNulty shot 64.

Bernhard Langer (65) was fourth with Sam Torrance (67) fifth. Norman (71) and Larry Mize (68) were next.

Roberts thought he had lost it on the second playoff hole after missing an 8-foot birdie attempt, but McNulty drove into heavy rough on the next hole and bogeyed.

“I thought that was a real good chance I let get away,” Roberts said. “I got too involved with the line and forgot the speed.”
Roberts’ victory earned him a spot in next year’s British Open at St. Andrews.

“I’m looking forward to it already. It will be an honor to play there,” he said.

Tom Watson had his best putting round of the week, but a 67 left him tied for eighth place. He said at least he had resolved the putting problem that had plagued him, and he was anticipating this week’s U.S. Senior Open at Crooked Stick, Ind.

Roberts said one aspect of his game that pleased him most was his mental approach.

“I’ve been struggling mentally a little bit this year,” he said. “I haven’t been hitting the ball as sharply or as good as I can. I didn’t give up mentally today. I didn’t let the mental side get me down when I fell behind early.

Dufner leads rain-soaked Canadian Open

OAKVILLE, Ontario — Jason Dufner played six holes in 1 under Sunday to top the Canadian Open leaderboard before play was washed out because of the latest round of heavy rain and lightning, forcing the tournament to at least a fifth day.

“Instead of reading the grain, you have to read the current out there,” said Mike Weir, the Canadian star who had a hole-in-one and was caught up in a confusing rules situation involving his second shot on the 18th hole Saturday.

Dufner, the second-round leader after rounds of 68 and 63 on the saturated Glen Abbey course, had a one-stroke lead over Anthony Kim and Jerry Kelly. Kim was 4 under after nine holes in the third round, and Kelly was 1 under through six.

Miyazato earns victory at Evian Masters

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Ai Miyazato of Japan won the Evian Masters with a birdie on the first playoff hole Sunday, beating Sophie Gustafson of Sweden to clinch her first victory on the LPGA Tour.

Miyazato steadied herself and sank a putt from about 6 feet after Gustafson had missed her birdie putt from the edge of the green.

“I had a tough time these last few years,” Miyazato said, referring to her long wait for an LPGA title. “It is obviously a relief, but I feel a sense of accomplishment at achieving this great win. I have so many things going through my head at the moment.”

Miyazato shot a 3-under 69 and Gustafson had a 70 as both finished at 14-under 274.

Gustafson had a chance to win it on the 18th, but her eagle putt stopped at the edge of the hole.

Michelle Wie tied for 23rd at 5 under, but failed to collect any points in her bid for a place on the United States team for next month’s Solheim Cup match against Europe.

Wie had three birdies on the last four holes to salvage her round, but finished just out of the top 20 to miss out on getting Solheim Cup points. She gets another chance at next week’s British Open, where points count double.

“I think for next week, my tee shots feel good, I’ve got to get that working,” Wie said. “Get that groove back.”

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