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UPI Newstrack Sports

Lonard struggles but wins Heritage golf

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C., April 17 (UPI) -- Peter Lonard struggled to a 4-over 75 Sunday but still managed to win the MCI Heritage as he had a 7-under-par 277 for his first victory on the PGA Tour.

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Ireland's Darren Clarke, who held a six-shot lead after 36-holes, was tied with Australian Lonard heading to the final hole. But his third double-bogey of the day left Clarke with a 76 and tied with Jim Furyk, Billy Andrade and Davis Love III for second place at 279.

Lonard opened the tournament with a 62, but lost the lead after the second round. He built a one-shot lead over Clarke with one round to play, but Sunday fell four strokes behind.

Clarke started with three consecutive birdies Sunday to jump to 13-under while Lonard bogeyed each of his first two holes.

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Love, a five-time winner of this event, shot 71 Sunday. Furyk had a 69 and Andrade a 68.


Greg Biffle wins 500-mile NASCAR race

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 17 (UPI) -- Greg Biffle won the Samsung/Radio Shack 500 Nextel Cup race at the Texas Motor Speedway Sunday. finishing 3.244 seconds ahead of runner-up Jamie McMurray.

Biffle used the same chassis which he used to win in February at the California Speedway. It was his second win of the season and fifth of his career.

The race began with a couple of quick cautions when Dave Blaney and Scott Riggs both lost control of their race cars in the first nine laps.

Biffle continued to dominate as the drivers reached the halfway point of the 334-lap event. At that point, he had a 2.287-second margin over teammate Kurt Busch.

With 24 laps remaining Biffle took over the lead for the seventh and final time. He built his lead to over four seconds and held it until the final lap.

Jimmie Johnson finished in third place, Casey Mears fourth, and Sterling Marlin fifth.


Hanson wins Spanish Open in playoff

CADIZ, Spain, April 17 (UPI) -- Peter Hanson made a par on the first playoff hole Sunday to defeat Peter Gustafsson and win the Spanish Open.

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Hanson, 27, shot a 1-under 71 for an 8-under 280 and Gustafsson forced the playoff with a 6-under 66.

At the playoff hole, Hanson missed the green to the left and Gustafsson even farther left and had a bad lie.

Gustafsson pitched his ball 15 past the cup, while Hanson's chip rolled within two feet. Gustafsson's par putt lipped out and Hanson tapped in for his first win on the European Tour.

Peter Lawrie shot 69 to move into a tie for third place at r 283 with Hennie Otto (72). Stephen Dodd (66) got a share of fifth.


Spaniard Nadal wins Monte Carlo Masters

MONTE CARLO, Monaco, April 17 (UPI) -- Teenager Rafael Nadal of Spain won the Monte Carlo Masters Sunday with a four-set victory over Guillermo Coria of Argentina.

The Spaniard outlasted defending champion Coria, 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5, win his first ATP Masters Series title.

Nadal was playing in his second consecutive ATP Masters Series final. He lost to Roger Federer in five sets in Miami. He earned $438,000 for his third ATP singles title of the year and the fourth of his career.

Coria, last year's French Open runner-up, was attempting to win back-to-back titles in Monte Carlo. He had won his last 11 matches at this event.

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