Webb Finishes Fast to Defeat McCurdy

Nothing, it would seem, can spoil Karrie Webb’s year.

In a thrilling finish, Webb birdied the last three holes Sunday and edged Cindy McCurdy by one stroke to win the LPGA Rochester International at Rochester, N.Y. The victory came by way of a tricky six-foot putt on the 18th hole.

“It’s just a great feeling to know that you have to do something like that and then pull it off,” said the 24-year-old Australian, who shot a two-under-par 70 for an eight-under 280 total.

It was Webb’s fifth LPGA victory in 13 events this year and her most wins in one season.

“It’s pretty amazing. It’s the stuff I dreamed about as a kid,” said Webb, who has won 14 tournaments since 1996. “I’ve had such a good year so far, I don’t think there’s much now that can ruin it.”

McCurdy, 38, whose only tour victory came in 1993, finished with a 68. Another stroke back after a 69 was Kristi Albers.

South Korea’s Se Ri Pak shot a 68 and finished at four under to join Hall of Famer Beth Daniel, who also had a 68, in a tie for fourth. Defending champion Rosie Jones had a 73 and Gail Graham a 72 and were at three under par. Second-round leader Jean Zedlitz shot a 76 and finished at two over par.

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Bruce Fleisher made a 12-foot birdie on the 17th hole to beat Al Geiberger by one stroke in the BellSouth Senior Classic at Nashville for his fourth victory of the season.

Fleisher continued his remarkable rookie year with a three-day total of 16-under-par 200. The $210,000 winner’s share moved him past Allen Doyle into first place on the Senior PGA Tour money-winning list with $1,104,592.

“Could I imagine this? No, not really,” Fleisher said after shooting a six-under 66 for the victory. “You have goals and some of them come true. I’ll have to reevaluate mine. I’ve already passed most of them.”

The 61-year-old Geiberger also shot a final-round 66, his third round in the 60s this weekend. It was his third second-place finish of the season.

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Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal moved to the top of the St. Jude Classic leaderboard, then heavy rain and lightning at Memphis, Tenn., postponed completion of the final round.

Olazabal was eight under par for the day through 14 holes and 15 under for the tournament, one shot ahead of Omar Uresti, Rick Fehr and the four third-round leaders-- Hal Sutton, Tom Lehman, Ted Tryba and Tim Herron. Brett Quigley is alone at 13 under.

Weather permitting, the final round was to resume this morning. When play was suspended, 24 of the 76 players had completed their rounds. Those still on the course will pick up where they left off.

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Matt Gogel had an eagle three on the second playoff hole to beat Casey Martin and win the $225,000 Nike Cleveland Open at Painesville, Ohio.

Gogel forced the playoff with a four-under 68 to tie Martin, who held a one-shot lead after three rounds and closed with a 70. They both parred the first playoff hole, the 18th.

Martin’s second shot on the second playoff hole, the 549-yard fifth, wound up in the left front bunker. He blasted out of the sand within 20 feet, but missed a birdie putt.

Gogel hit his tee shot down the middle of the fairway, then hit a three-wood within 15 feet and the eagle putt gave him his second win on the tour this season.

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Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden beat Retief Goosen of South Africa on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff in the German Open at Berlin after Goosen missed a three-foot putt at the 18th hole that cost him the title. Sandelin parred the playoff hole while Goosen had a bogey. . . . Rick Rhoden defended his title at the Toyota Mario Lemieux Invitational at Pittsburgh with a par on the 18th hole to beat John Elway, whose chip for par slid just inches past the cup. Rhoden shot a one-under 71. Elway matched the score in the final round, but he started the day one stroke back.

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Leading the Way

Final leaders in Sunday’s major golf tournaments. (The final round of the PGA’s St. Jude Classic in Memphis will be played today after being suspended because of rain.)

LPGA AT ROCHESTER--Par 72

Karrie Webb ($150,000): 75-67-68-70--280

Cindy McCurdy ($93,000): 71-70-72-68--281

Kristi Albers ($67,933): 74-68-72-69--283

Se Ri Pak ($47,804): 77-66-73-68--284

Beth Daniel ($47,804): 70-73-73-68--284

BELLSOUTH SENIOR--Par 72

Bruce Fleisher ($210,000): 71-63-66--200

Al Geiberger ($123,200): 67-68-66--201

Tom Jenkins ($84,000): 69-69-64--202

Bruce Summerhays ($84,000): 71-66-65--202

Gil Morgan ($84,000): 67-68-67--202