In-bee wins 20th LPGA title

Adelaide, February 16

South Korean great Park In-bee joined an illustrious group as a 20-time LPGA Tour winner today with a commanding victory at the Australian Open — her first title in almost two years.

The seven-time Major champion took a 3-stroke lead into the final day at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club over South Korean teen Ayean Cho and despite a late wobble was never seriously threatened.

She stroked a 1-over-par 74 in difficult conditions to claim her first Australian Open by three shots from American Amy Olsen (70), and four ahead of France’s Perrine Delacour (73). Cho shot a 77 to end six off the lead.

McIlroy in joint lead

Los Angeles: Rory McIlroy, looking to cement his return to No. 1 in the world, fired a 3-under-par 68 on Saturday to join Matt Kuchar and Adam Scott in a three-way tie for the Round 3 lead at the Genesis Invitational.

Kuchar was atop the leaderboard for a third straight day after a 1-under-par 70 at the Riviera Country Club.

Playing partner McIlroy carded a 3-under 68 while Australia’s Scott grabbed his share of the lead with a birdie at 18 to cap a 4-under 67. They were all tied on 10-under-par 203 — one shot ahead of Russell Henley and Harold Varner on a jam-packed leaderboard. Tiger Woods, who came into the week gunning for a record-setting 83rd US PGA Tour title, was nowhere near the top, however, after a 5-over-par 76 left him languishing 15 off the pace. — AFP