Crenshaw wins Freeport McMoran Classic by three strokes

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (UPI): Ben Crenshaw fired a 4-under-par 68 Sunday for a three-stroke victory at the US$1.2 million Freeport-McMoran Golf Classic.

Crenshaw's 72-hole total of 15-under 273 broke Tim Simpson's tournament record of 14-under 274, set in 1989. Crenshaw was three shots better than Jose Maria Olazabal, who shot a final- round 69.

The victory was the 18th of Crenshaw's career and marked the third straight year in which he was captured at least one tournament. The 1984 Masters champion won only once between 1988- 92.

The 42-year-old Texan shared the third-round lead with Sam Torrance but grabbed sole possession of the top spot by birdying the first two holes at the English Turn Golf and Country Club. He added a birdie on the par-4 fifth hole before a double bogey at the 10th. Crenshaw responded with birdies on three of the next four holes and cruised to his first victory since the 1993 Nestle Invitational. Crenshaw's triumph was worth d216,000.

Torrance dropped to third at 10-under 278 following a final- round 73.

Olazabal birdied three of the final four holes to move past Torrance into second place at 12-under 276.

Dennis Paulson and Mike Springer shot 68s Sunday and finished in a fourth-place tie at 9-under 279.

Defending champion Mike Standly carded a 4-under 68, but finished 11 shots behind Crenshaw at 4-under 284.

The Freeport-McMoran Classic was the final event before the Masters and many golfers elected not to make the trip to New Orleans. Defending Masters champion Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman and Nick Price were among the golfers who sat out this week's event.

Lyon Open

In Lyon, France, a last-hole birdie for Australian Wayne Riley threatens to end a 10-year wait for European success as he finished with a one-stroke lead in the third round of the $335,000 Lyon Open in France Sunday.

Riley, former winner of his own Australian Open, has never finished better than second in his 10 years on the European Tour, and took over the lead with a 3-under-par 69 for 10-under-par 206.

He lies a stroke in front of the Swede who was brought up on the Australian Gold Coast, Gabriel Hjertstedt.

Hjertstedt had led the field with four holes remaining but bogeyed the 15th to give his playing-partner Riley a share of the lead and when he could only par the last after being bunkered, he had to settle for second on 207 with a 71.

Masters

In Augusta, Georgia, Greg Norman should be everyone's favorite to win the Masters this week after his incredible, record-smashing performance in the Players Championship.

The 39-year-old Australian demolished everything but the hospitality tents at the vaunted TPC course at Sawgrass the weekend before last, going 24 under par and outdistancing the strongest field of the year by four strokes.

Taking full advantage of his length off the tee and putting flawlessly, the world's top-ranked player made only one bogey in 72 holes on the showcase course at the headquarters of the PGA Tour.

Leading final scores (USA unless stated):

Freeport McMoRan Classic

273 - Ben Crenshaw 69-68-68-68 276 - Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) 63-74-70-69 278 - Sam Torrance (GB) 67-71-67-73 279 - Dennis Paulson 74-62-75-68, Mike Springer 73-69-69-68,

Kenny Perry 69-72-68-70 281 - Dick Mast 71-69-74-67, Chris DiMarco 76-70-66-69, Steve

Brodie 71-67-72-71, Bobby Clampett 70-68-72-71

Lyon Open (Britain unless stated):

206 - Wayne Riley (Aus) 69 68 69 207 - Gabriel Hjertstedt (Swe) 68 68 71 208 - Stephen Ames (Trinidad and Tobago) 70 67 71 211 - Garry Orr 69 66 76 212 - Michel Besanceney (Fra) 69 75 68, Gordon J Brand

70 69 73, Pedro Linhart (Spa) 72 68 72 213 - Heinz P Thul (Ger) 72 72 69, Torsten Giedeon (Ger) 71 72

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