Golf Roundup: Smyth battles wind for 2nd Champions win

Now, still early in the season, Smyth stands second on the Tour’s money list to only Hale Irwin. Smyth moved up with his victory in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf at Savannah Harbor Golf Resort in Georgia, his second triumph this year.
Feeling quite at home in the swirling winds, Smyth was the only man on the course to break par on Sunday. He started the final round two strokes off the lead, but finished two strokes ahead of Tom Jenkins. He managed this despite three bogeys over the first six holes. He didn’t suffer another blemish until 18. His winning score was 208 (66-71-71).
“I have to say I suppose I have some small advantage,” Smyth said. “This was a strong wind, even for back home. I wouldn’t play on a day like this, unless I was in a golf tournament.”
Smyth’s winnings amounted to $382,000. He has now banked $684,506 for the season and no longer has to fret about exemptions.
Mark McNulty tied for sixth place at 213 (70-68-75), which enriched him by $91,000. He is now fourth on the money list at $499,689.

PGA TOUR
A week after his Harbour Town debacle, Darren Clarke regrouped for a fourth-place tie at the Shell Houston Open. He was 10 under par after 72 holes at the Redstone Golf Club, having shot 278 (71-69-71-67). He shared low score for the final round with John Daly and Lucas Glover.
Clarke was six under par for his round after 15 holes on Sunday, when he double-bogeyed the par-4 16th. He finished with a birdie at 18. Daly and Vijay Singh shot low scores of 275, with Singh winning the playoff. Clarke earned $220,000.

NGA HOOTERS TOUR
Gareth Maybin tied for 19th place in the Michelob Ultra Classic at Cherokee Valley Golf Club in Tigerville, S.C. Four bogeys on the back nine on Sunday prevented him from a higher finish. At even-par 284 (68-70-72-74), Maybin finished 12 strokes behind medallist Jack Croyle.

EUROPEAN TOUR
Peter Lawrie shared 38th place at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Beijing, China. He was four strokes under par at the Pine Valley Golf Resort with his 284 (69-71-69-75). Adam Scott, who carded 270, was the winner.

EURO SENIORS TOUR
Eamonn Darcy tied for ninth place in the Sharm El Sheikh Seniors Open at Jolie Ville Golf Hotel in Egypt. His 208 (70-69-69) put him 10 strokes behind champion Bob Lendzion. Denis O’Sullivan finished in joint 29th place at 214 (72-72-70), Eddie Polland grabbed a slice of 45th place at 217 (72-74-71), John Curtis tied for 49th place at 220 (72-69-77), Paul Leonard tied for 62nd place at 224 (76-75-73) and Kenny Stevenson was 66th at 227 (75-76-76).