SYDNEY (AP) ― The loudest cheers were for Tiger Woods. The Australian Open belonged to Greg Chalmers.
Chalmers won his national championship for the second time Sunday, closing with a 3-under 69 for a one-shot victory over fellow Australian John Senden.
Woods pulled within one shot of the lead after chipping in for eagle on the 14th and closed with a 67. It wasn’t enough, though.
Chalmers made a short birdie on the par-3 15th and played mistake-free the rest of the way.
Woods was alone in third, his best result against a full field since his last win two years ago at the Australian Masters.
He also was the low American, which should at least quiet critics of Fred Couples for picking Woods for the Presidents Cup next week at Royal Melbourne.
Lorena Ochoa Invitational
Catriona Matthew shot her second straight 4-under 68 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead after the third round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
Matthew, the 42-year-old Scot who won the last of her three LPGA Tour titles in 2009, had an 11-under 205 total at Guadalajara Country Club. Norway’s Suzann Pettersen (71) was second, and defending champion Kim In-kyung (70) was another stroke back along with Anna Nordqvist (73).
Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, tied for the lead after the first two rounds in the 36-player event, was 5 under after a 75. The 51-year-old Inkster is trying to become the oldest winner in LPGA Tour history.
Michelle Wie, the 2009 winner, was tied for 12th at 1 under after a 71.
Singapore Open
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano completed a 10-under 61 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the rain-delayed Singapore Open.
Play was suspended because of the threat of lightning just as the third round began at about noon.
The rain continued throughout the afternoon, wiping out play and forcing officials to shorten the tournament to three rounds. The event is sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.
Fernandez-Castano had nine birdies and an eagle to reach 15 under.
England‘s James Morrison and Italy’s Edoardo Molinari were 12 under after 68s.
