Top Shot
Spanish amateur makes European Tour history
ESTORIL, Portugal: Spain's Pablo Martin created golfing history here on Sunday when he captured the Portugal Open to become the first amateur to win on the European Tour.
The 20-year-old from Malaga who was tied for third, two shots off the overnight lead, produced a closing round 68 to take his place in the record books with a seven under par total of 277.
France's Raphael Jacquelin came in second, one shot behind.
While taking the glory Martin's status denied him the chance to pocket the 141,157 pounds winners' pay cheque.
The last amateur to win a professional event in Europe was Dr David Sheehan of Ireland in the 1962 Jeyes Tournament at Royal Dublin before the European Tour was created.
Teenager Pressel posts historic Kraft Nabisco Championship win
RANCHO MIRAGE: Precocious professional Morgan Pressel became the youngest player in LPGA history to win a major title Sunday with her triumph in the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Pressel, 18, capped a flawless 3-under-par 69 with a 15-foot birdie at the final hole for a 3-under total of 285.
As she waited in the clubhouse, overnight co-leader Suzann Pettersen squandered a three-shot lead to hand the youngster the victory in the $2 million tournament, the first women's major of 2007.
Pressel, who started the round four strokes off the pace, collected the $300,000 first prize for her first career title.
Pressel, who successfully petitioned the LPGA to launch her rookie season last year when she was just 17, took the traditional winner's plunge in the pond at the 18th green with her caddie and her grandmother, Evelyn Krickestein.
Johnson clings on for third NASCAR win of season
NEW YORK: Jimmie Johnson held off Jeff Gordon to win his third NASCAR race of the season at the Goody's 500 in Martinsville, Virginia, on Sunday.
Gordon, hoping to end a long winless streak, constantly barged into Johnson's car in the closing 50 laps but could never take the lead from his fellow Chevrolet driver.
"I'm speechless," Johnson told reporters after his 0.065 second victory.
"To have a duel like that at the end was probably the hardest racing I've ever done.
"He gave me a shot in (turns) three and four (on the last lap), so I just crowded him down."
Points leader Gordon said that although he bumped Johnson frequently, he did not want to force him off the track.
"That's why we finished second and not first," Gordon said.
"If there had been anybody else in second he probably wouldn't have won."
(China Daily 04/03/2007 page23)
