Around the Links

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This article was published 27/07/2009 (6138 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Miyazato breaks through

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 six 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 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.”

Miyazato clenched her fist as her last putt rolled in, then stood still for several moments with her hand on her brow as she paused to savour the win. She takes home US$487,500, tied for the highest first prize in women’s golf with the Women’s U.S. Open.

Argentine charges to win

LODDEKOPINGE, Sweden — Ricardo Gonzalez has won the SAS Masters by two strokes after making birdies on five of the final six holes.

The 39-year-old Argentine shot a 4-under 69 Sunday to finish at 10-under 282 on the 7,665-yard Barseback Golf Club course — the longest in European Tour history.

Jamie Donaldson of Wales closed with a course-record tying 68 to take second. Jeppe Huldahl of Denmark (74) was third, another two shots back.

Gonzalez pitched to two feet on the 16th, then holed a bunker shot on the next to take the lead. On the last hole, he hit over trees to within five feet of the flag.

Parnevik needs surgery

LODDEKOPINGE, Sweden — Jesper Parnevik might have played his last round of the year.

The 44-year-old veteran, who tied for 17th at the SAS Masters in his native Sweden on Sunday, told a golf website that he will undergo hip surgery next week in a clinic at Vail, Colo.

“There’s much to suggest that my season is finished,” Parnevik was quoted as saying on golf magazine Svensk Golf’s website.

— From the news services