Xiong, Morikawa win again to move U.S. to cusp
LOS ANGELES » Southern Californians and Pac-12 Conference golfers Norman Xiong and Collin Morikawa won their foursomes match Sunday to remain undefeated in the Walker Cup and help the United States move to the cusp of reclaiming the amateur trophy from Britain and Ireland.
Xiong and Morikawa beat Connor Syme and Paul McBride 2 up at Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course. Xiong plays at Oregon and Morikawa at California. They have combined for four points, also having won their foursomes match and singles matches Saturday.
The United States took an 11-5-lead into the deciding afternoon singles matches. It needs 13½ points to reclaim the cup it lost 16 ½-9 ½ two years ago at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
Also winning foursomes matches for the United States were Will Zalatoris and Cameron Champ, 6 and 5 over David Boote and Jack Davidson; and Doug Ghim and Maverick McNealy, 3 and 2 against Matthew Jordan and Robert MacIntyre. Braden Thornberry and Doc Redman lost 2 up to Jack Singh Brar and Scott Gregory.
Colin Montgomerie wins PGA Tour Champions event in Japan
CHIBA, JAPAN » Colin Montgomerie made all the putts he needed Sunday on Narita Golf Club’s massive greens to win the Japan Airlines Championship — the first PGA Tour Champions event in Japan.
The 54-year-old Scot twoputted for par from 50 feet on the par-4 18th, hitting his first to 1 ½ feet, for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke victory over Billy Mayfair and second-round leader Scott McCarron.
“The greens were as good as any, and I mean this, as good as any as we have ever putted on, ever,” Montgomerie said. “And we’ve putted on some great, great surfaces. In the 30 years as a pro, these are as good as any we have putted on as a putting surface. Superb putting surfaces. And the way the course was manicured was exceptional.”
Fitzpatrick beats Hend in playoff to win European Masters
CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND » Matthew Fitzpatrick made a safe par 4 on the third extra hole to win the European Masters on Sunday, after firing a 6-under 64 to force a playoff.
The 48th-ranked Englishman sank his putt from less than three feet (one meter) while Scott Hend of Australia made a ragged bogey at the 18th hole on the scenic Swiss Alps course.
Fitzpatrick earned a 450,000-euro ($542,000) prize for his first win since the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai last November.
It was a fourth career title for the 23-year-old former U.S. Amateur winner.
Hend again pocketed 300,000 euros ($361,000) for losing the title in a playoff for the second straight year.
Both carded 14-under totals of 266 having had early starts Sunday to complete their delayed third rounds. On Saturday, play was suspended because of fog, while fading light brought the leading groups in early.
Canada’s AnneCatherine Tanguay wins Symetra Tour event
GARDEN CITY, KAN. » AnneCatherine Tanguay won the Symetra Tour’s Garden City Charity Classic on Sunday at windy Buffalo Dunes to put herself in good position to earn an LPGA Tour card.
The 26-year-old former University of Oklahoma player from Quebec birdied three of the last five holes for a 1-under 71 and a three-stroke victory in steady 20 mph wind that gusted over 35 mph.
“I’m not sure how it happened because I was extremely nervous today,” Tanguay said. “One of my biggest goals was to pick a target and take an aggressive and fearless swing and that is really what got me through.”