HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct 16, 2007 (AFP) - Irishman Padraig Harrington posted a three-under 69 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf which covers two days and features the season's four major winners.

Harrington, who earned his spot by winning the British Open title, is one shot in front of Argentinian Angel Cabrera, who captured the US Open.

Americans Zach Johnson, winner of the Masters, and Jim Furyk share third place, four shots back of Harrington at the 36-hole event at the Mid Ocean Club.

SYDNEY, Aug 19, 2007 (AFP) - Tennis legend Chris Evert's former husband says Australian golfing great Greg Norman stole his wife.

Andy Mill, a US Olympic skiing champion, said he was broken-hearted by Norman's betrayal, saying he once regarded the golfing legend as his best friend.

'Greg Norman at one time was my best friend, and a year and a half ago I would have taken a bullet for this guy,' Mill was quoted saying in Australia's Sunday Telegraph.

'I didn't realise he was the one who was going to pull the trigger.'

HAMBURG, Germany, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - Order of Merit hopeful Henrik Stenson suffered a bizarre exit from the European Players Championship here on Friday when he lost count of how many shots he had taken at the 17th hole.

The 31-year-old Swede was credited with a 12 on the par-five penultimate hole at Gut Kaden, but was disqualified as he wasn't certain of his exact score and therefore unable to sign his scorecard.

'I ran out of putts,' said the Ryder Cup star who was dislodged as leader of the Order of Merit after Padraig Harrington's British Open last weekend.

135 - Lee Slattery 66 69, Zane Scotland 67 68

136 - Oliver Wilson 66 70, Andres Romero (Argentina) 68 68

137 - Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 69 68

138 - Paul Casey 68 70, Anton Haig (South Africa) 69 69, Shiv Kapur (India) 71 67, Alexander Noren (Sweden) 67 71, Bradley Dredge 69 69

139 - Peter Hanson (Sweden) 69 70, Martin Erlandsson (Sweden) 72 67, Benn Barham 69 70, Brett Wetterich (USA) 69 70, John Bickerton 68 71, Carlos Rodiles (Spain) 67 72, Steven O'Hara 69 70, Richard Sterne (South Africa) 74 65

HAMBURG, Germany, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - England's Zane Scotland and Lee Slattery share top spot on the leaderboard at the halfway stage after finishing at nine under par at the European Players' Championship on Friday.

After Thursday's leader Simon Kahn failed to make the cut after a disastrous 80, Scotland briefly held the lead alone after firing a second round of 68.

But Slattery joined him at the top after he carded a 69 as the pair finished on 135 for the two rounds.

EVIANS-Lesotho-BAINS, France, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - South Korea's Hong Jin Joo and American Diana D'Alessio shared a three-shot lead on seven under par at the halfway stage of the Evian Masters on Friday, but two-time former winner Annika Sorenstam was among the closest challengers.

Hong, who was a shock winner of the LPGA tournament in Korea at the end of last year, had a 70, while D'Alessio, who has never won in seven years on Tour, shot a flawless 68.

They led by three from Sorenstam (69), South Korea's Jang Jeong (71) and American Brittany Lincicome (74).

EVIAN-Lesotho-BAINS, France, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - Leading second round scores here Friday at the Evian Masters US LPGA and LET golf tournament:

137 - Diana D'Alessio (USA) 69-68, Hong Jin Joo (Korea) 67-70

140 - Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) 71-69, Jang Jeong (Korea) 69-71, Brittany Lincicome (USA) 66-74

141 - Ueda Momoko (JPn) 74-67, Juli Inkster (USA) 73-68, Natalie Gulbis (USA) 72-69, Laura Davies (Britain) 71 70, Kim Mi-Hyun (Korea) 69-72, Linda Wessberg (Sweden) 69-72, Sophie Gustafson (Sweden) 69-72, Bae Kyeong (Korea) 67-74

TORONTO, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - Hunter Mahan nabbed three eagles en route to a nine-under 62 here Thursday to grab a two-stroke lead after one round of the five million-dollar Canadian Open.

Mahan matched his best round of the year, having also posted a 62 in the opening round of the Travelers Championship in June en route to his first career PGA Tour victory.

He is the first player to shoot two sub-63 rounds on the PGA Tour this season.

TORONTO, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - Leading first-round scores here on Thursday in the five million-dollar Canadian Open (USA unless noted):

65 - Tripp Isenhour, David Hearn (CAN)

66 - Bo Van Pelt, John Mallinger, Michael Putnam, Olin Browne, Charlie Wi (KOR)

67 - Glen Day, Ryan Palmer, Troy Matteson, Robert Garrigus, Tag Ridings, Doug LaBelle, Brandt Snedeker, Mark Calcavecchia

68 - Daisuke Maruyama (JPN), Camilo Villegas (COL), Vijay Singh (FIJ) Graham DeLaet (CAN), Mathew Goggin (AUS)

HAMBURG, Germany, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - England`s Simon Kahn built on his great start to finish the first day as leader at the European Players Championship in Hamburg after he fired a seven under par on Thursday.

An eagle at the third, after two birdies, gave the 35-year-old some early momentum as he fired an opening round of 65 at the 72-par Gut Kaden golf course to lead by a stroke from compatriots Lee Slattery and Oliver Wilson, both chasing their first tour wins.

HAMBURG, Germany, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - England`s Simon Kahn took an early lead at the European Open in Hamburg after he fired a seven under par to take the clubhouse lead on Thursday.

An eagle at the third gave the 35-year-old some early momentum as he fired an opening round of 65 at the 72-par Gut Kaden golf course to lead by a stroke from compatriot`s Lee Slattery and Oliver Wilson.

Slattery carded a six under par 66 to share second with Wilson with another Englishman, Zane Scotland, in a chasing group in a seven-way tie for fourth on five under.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - Pat Hurst, a 38-year-old veteran, fellow-American Brittany Lincicome and Ji Eun-Hee, one of the huge crop of talented young South Koreans, shared the lead on six under par 66 after the first round of the Evian Masters on Thursday.

Another two Koreans, Bae Kyeong and Hon Jin Joo, and the US Solheim Cup player, Christina Kim, were all a shot behind on 67 on a day when 25 players managed to break par.

DUBLIN, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - Irish golfer Padraig Harrington was hailed as a national sporting hero by Prime Minister Bertie Ahern on Thursday at a state reception to honour the newly crowned British Open champion.

Ahern said Dubliner Harrington, 35, had earned himself 'an elevated position in Ireland`s sporting hall of fame' for his one-shot victory at Carnoustie, Scotland, in a thrilling play-off with Spain`s Sergio Garcia last Sunday.

Ahern said Harrington`s achievement 'easily ranks alongside the greatest in our country`s sporting history'.

MARKHAM, Canada, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - World number three Jim Furyk, coming off a share of 12th at last week`s British Open, begins the defense of his Canadian Open title here on Thursday seeking his first triumph of the year.

Furyk, twice a runner-up in 2007, will try to win the five million-dollar US PGA Tour event at Angus Glen Golf Club north of Toronto after taking last year`s title further south in Ontario at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Joe Ogilvie`s long wait for a PGA Tour title ended Sunday as the American triumphed at the four million-dollar US Bank Championship.

Ogilvie was tied for the lead at 11-under with South African Tim Clark through 15 holes in the final round.

But a long-distance eagle on the par-four 16th and a birdie on No. 18 allowed him to secure the win at the Brown Deer Park Golf Course.

'To get my first PGA Tour win by holing out with a sand wedge -- it`s pretty special,' Ogilvie said.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 23, 2007 (AFP) - Padraig Harrington`s aims and ambitions when he turned pro in 1995 were simply to make a decent living on the European Tour.

Twelve years later the Irishman is the continent`s top player, he is inside the world top 10 and now a winner of the British Open at 35.

It`s all a far cry from what his expectations were when he decided to give it a stab after completing his degree as an accountant.

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Leading final-round scores here on Sunday from the four million-dollar US Bank Championship (USA unless noted):

270 - Tim Clark (RSA) 68-65-66-71, Tim Herron 66-67-65-72, Charlie Wi (KOR) 70-66-66-68

272 - Steve Flesch 69-64-71-68, Bob Heintz 69-64-71-68, Jeff Maggert 63-69-71-69, Kenny Perry 69-65-67-71

273 - Craig Bowden 66-67-71-69, Billy Mayfair 69-64-70-70, Jeff Sluman 71-67-65-70, Mark Wilson 67-70-67-69

NEW ROCHELLE, New York, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Seon Hwa Lee defeated Ai Miyazato 2 and 1 here Sunday to become the first South Korean to win the Women`s World Match Play Championship.

With the victory over the 22-year-old Miyazata, Lee captured her second career title on US soil. She won the ShopRite LPGA Classic on her way to clinching the tour`s Rookie of the Year award last year.

NEW ROCHELLE, New York, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Scores here on Sunday in the two million-dollar Women`s World Match Play Championship (Final underway)

Seon Hwa Lee (KOR) bt Ai Miyazato (JPN) 2 and 1

Seon Hwa Lee (KOR) bt Mi Hyun Kim (KOR) 2-up

Ai Miyazato (JPN) bt Maria Hjorth (SWE) 3 and 2

DUBLIN, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Ireland`s political leaders hailed the victory of Dubliner Padraig Harrington at the British Open in Carnoustie on Sunday when he defeated Spain`s Sergio Garcia in a play off.

President Mary McAleese sent her congratulations to the 35-year-old Irishman describing his victory at the championship as 'thrilling'.

Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, meanwhile, said he was delighted for Harrington on his 'fantastic victory' and first major win.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP/AFP) - Sergio Garcia insisted he would bounce back from the trauma of throwing away his chance to claim his first major title at a British Open he had led from the opening day.

The petulant tenor of his remarks after losing out to Padraig Harrington in a play-off on Sunday evening however suggest that this was an experience that could leave lasting scars on the 27-year-old`s psyche.

Garcia had started the final round with a three shot lead over his nearest rival and six ahead of Harrington.

NEW ROCHELLE, New York, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Japan`s Ai Miyazato moved within sight of her first US LPGA Tour title Sunday as she booked a showdown with South Korean Seon-Hwa Lee in the final of the Women`s World Match Play Championship.

In Sunday morning`s semi-finals, Miyazato defeated Maria Hjorth of Sweden 3 and 2, while Lee downed compatriot Mi Hyun Kim 2-up.

Miyazato has won 13 times and is a massive star on the Japanese Tour. She arrived in the United States last year with high expectations but, despite a string of good finishes, has yet to break through.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP/AFP) - Padraig Harrington won the British Open here on Sunday defeating Sergio Garcia in a four-hole play off as once again Carnoustie threw-up a high-drama finish over its closing stretch.

Garcia had come agonisingly close to winning his first major when his 10-footer for the trophy lipped out at the 72nd and last hole.

But it was Harrington who took charge of the ensuing playoff grabbing what proved to be a decisive two-stroke lead at the first with a birdie to Garcia`s bogey.

NEW ROCHELLE, New York, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Scores here on Sunday in the two million-dollar Women`s World Match Play Championship (Final underway)

Seon Hwa Lee (KOR) bt Mi Hyun Kim (KOR) 2-up

Ai Miyazato (JPN) bt Maria Hjorth (SWE) 3 and 2

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - An emotional Padraig Harrington said he would never have recovered if he had not won his play-off with Sergio Garcia to become Ireland`s first British Open winner in 60 years on Sunday.

'If I had lost I don`t know what I would have thought about playing golf again,' said the Irishman who had long been tipped as one of the men most likely to end Europe`s eight-year drought in major tournaments.

'I have come a long way,' Harrington said. 'When I started out as a professional I would have settled for being a good journeyman pro.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Factfile on British Open winner Padraig Harrington:-

Born - 31/08/1971 in Dublin, Ireland

Major titles - 1 (2007 British Open)

European Tour victories - 12 (Order of Merit winner for 2006)

Ryder Cups - 4 (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006)

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Factfile on British Open winner Padraig Harrington:-

Born - 31/08/1971 in Dublin, Ireland

Major titles - 1 (2007 British Open)

European Tour victories - 12 (Order of Merit winner for 2006)

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP/AFP) - Last 10 podiums in the British Open:-

(Harrington won a four-hole playoff)

3 - Fred Couples (USA) and Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) 280

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP/AFP) - Last 10 podiums in the British Open:-

(Harrington won a four-hole playoff)

3 - Fred Couples (USA) and Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) 280

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Final scores after the fourth round of the British Open on Sunday (Par 71, 7421 yards, -a denotes amateur):

277 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) 69-73-68-67 (750,000 pounds), Sergio Garcia (ESP) 65-71-68-73 (450,000)

278 - Andres Romero (ARG) 71-70-70-67 (290,000)

279 - Richard Green (AUS) 72-73-70-64, Ernie Els (RSA) 72-70-68-69 (200,000 each)

280 - Hunter Mahan (USA) 73-73-69-65, Stewart Cink (USA) 69-73-68-70

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Padraig Harrington of Ireland won the British Open here on Sunday.

The Irishman triumphed 15 strokes to 16 in a four-hole playoff with Sergio Garcia of Spain.

Both men had finished the 72 holes with seven-under totals of 277, Garcia closing with a 73 to Harrington`s 67.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - KJ Choi vowed to return to the British Open and improve on the top ten finish he clinched for the first time on Sunday.

A closing 71 allowed the Korean to end the tournament in a tie for eighth place. That was his best to date but still slightly disappointing for a player who had been second after two rounds and harboured high hopes of becoming the first Asian to win a major tournament.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Richard Green might not have won the British Open but the Australian journeyman still hit the jackpot with his course record-equalling final round of 64 at Carnoustie.

As well as earning him a cheque for 200,000 pounds (411,000 dollars), his finish -- tied fourth with Ernie Els -- was good enough to earn him a spot in next year`s US Masters, a tournament he has never played in.

The left-hander`s seven-under-par round equalled the course record held jointly by American Steve Stricker and Scotland`s Colin Montgomerie.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Final scores after the fourth round of the British Open on Sunday (Par 71, 7421 yards, -a denotes amateur):

Four-hole play-off to be played to decide winner

277 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) 69-73-68-67, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 65-71-68-73

278 - Andres Romero (ARG) 71-70-70-67

279 - Richard Green (AUS) 72-73-70-64, Ernie Els (RSA) 72-70-68-69

280 - Hunter Mahan (USA) 73-73-69-65, Stewart Cink (USA) 69-73-68-70

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Tiger Woods will fly back to Florida without the claret jug he had dreamed of presenting to his new baby daughter after seeing his bid for a third consecutive British Open title end in frustration here on Sunday.

The world number one`s campaign for a 13th major title ended with a whimper rather than a roar as he slipped out of the reckoning at Carnoustie with a final round 70.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP/AFP) - Fourth round scores in the British Open on Sunday (Par 71, 7421 yards, -a denotes amateur):

279 - Richard Green (AUS) 72-73-70-64

280 - Hunter Mahan (USA) 73-73-69-65, Zach Johnson (USA) 73-73-68-70

285 - Mark Calcavecchia (USA) 74-70-72-69, Jonathan Byrd (USA) 73-72-70-70, Retief Goosen (RSA) 70-71-73-71

286 - Ian Poulter (ENG) 73-73-70-70, Adam Scott (AUS) 73-70-72-72, Rod Pampling (AUS) 70-72-72-72, Paul Casey (ENG) 72-73-69-72

287 - Angel Cabrera (ARG) 68-73-72-74

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Richard Green played the round of his life to equal the course record at Carnoustie with a stunning 64 in the final round of the British Open.

The Australian left-hander was the clubhouse leader after a seven-under-par round that equalled the course record held jointly by American Steve Stricker and Scotland`s Colin Montgomerie.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Sergio Garcia was holding firmly on to his British Open lead on Sunday as an array of big names took aim at him.

The 27-year-old Spaniard led American Steve Stricker by three strokes overnight with seven golfers, featuring former Champion Ernie Els, Irish pair Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley and back-to-form American Chris DiMarco, a further three strokes back.

LONDON, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Dick Pound, who heads the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has advised golf to start doing drug testing as soon as it can in response to claims top players are using banned substances.

Pound mirrored the comments of the legendary Gary Player earlier this week who claims to have been told of drug abuse on the major tours.

The European Tour intends to introduce a drug-testing policy and are having talks with the PGA Tour in America and other circuits about making the policy worldwide.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP/AFP) - Irish teenager Rory McIlroy completed a fairytale week at his first British Open on Sunday by winning the silver medal for the best amateur in the tournament.

A week that began with the 18-year-old outscoring Tiger Woods with a superb 68 in his opening round ended with a birdie on the 18th green for a closing 72 and a four round total of 289, five over par.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Tiger Woods was making a final day charge at the British Open on Sunday having started the day eight behind leader Sergio Garcia.

The world No.1, looking for a hat-trick of wins in golf`s oldest and most prestigious tournament, birdied the fourth and fifth holes to get back to six strokes off the pace and tied with nine other players for third place.

Garcia, who had yet to tee off, stood on the cusp of his first win in a major as he carried a three-stroke advantage over the field into the closing round.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP/AFP) - Early fourth round scores in the British Open on Sunday (Par 71, 7421 yards, -a denotes amateur):

288 - Mark Foster (ENG) 76-70-73-69, Niclas Fasth (SWE) 75-69-73-71

289 - Ryan Moore (USA) 72-72-74-71, Rory McIlroy (NIR -a) 68-76-73-72

290 - Carl Pettersson (SWE) 70-75-73-72

293 - Kevin Stadler (USA) 75-71-74-73, Tom Lehman (USA) 73-73-74-73

294 - Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 70-72-77-75, Thomas Bjorn (DEN) 70-75-74-75, David Howell (ENG) 72-74-73-75