Choi breaks dry spell

GOLF Hot starts leads to PGA Tour win Monty battles from five behind

K. J. Choi banished three long years of losing with one spectacular four- hole stretch in the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro ( N. C.) yesterday. The South Korean birdied the first four holes in the final round, giving him all the cushion he needed for a two- shot victory over Shigeki Maruyama.

It was Choi’s first PGA Tour victory since 2002. He finished with a six- under 66 for a 22under 266 total. Maruyama shot 67. Firstround leader Charles Warren, who tied the Forest Oaks Country Club record of 62 before faltering a bit over the last two days, rebounded with a 65 to tie Brandt Jobe (67) and Jason Bohn ( 70) for third. EUROPEAN TOUR:

Colin Montgomerie birdied the 18th hole from four feet for a one- underpar 71 on the Old Course to win the Dunhill Links championship at St. Andrews, Scotland, by one stroke over Kenneth Ferrie. Montgomerie, who trailed Ferrie by five strokes going into the final round, prevailed on a cold and blustery day. Ferrie managed only a 77. NATIONWIDE TOUR:

Jeff Gove won the Oregon Classic when the fourth round was cancelled due to steady rain. Gove had rounds of 66, 68 and 67 for a 15- under- par total and three- stroke advantage over Jamie Broce, Kris Cox, Tim Wilkinson and Esteban Toledo on the Shadow Hills course at Eugene, Ore.

David Morland IV of North Bay tied for sixth, five strokes back, while Jon Mills of Oshawa tied for ninth. CHAMPIONS TOUR:

Hale Irwin, 60, shot six- under 66 to beat Tom Jenkins and Bob Gilder by two strokes in the SAS Championship at Cary, N. C. It was his 44th career win on the tour. LPGA TOUR:

Hee- Won Han held a one- stroke lead with 10 holes to play when the final round of the Office Depot Championship at Ranchos Palos Verdes, Calif., was suspended because of darkness. The tournament will be finished today.