Norman Shoots a 67 to Win World Series

Greg Norman had three birdies in a four-hole span on the back nine Sunday at Akron, Ohio, as he continued his mastery of the NEC World Series of Golf. Norman won by four strokes.

Unlike two years ago, when he holed a 66-foot seven-iron chip on the first playoff hole to win at Firestone Country Club, Norman took command by staying out of trouble and picking his spots for the easy win over defending champion Phil Mickelson.

His final-round three-under-par 67, after rounds of 68, 68 and 70, left him at seven-under 273. He collected $396,000 and a 10-year PGA Tour exemption while battling heavy rains that pelted the course most of the day.

It was the 18th PGA Tour victory of his career and his second of the year. He won the St. Jude Classic in June.

Mickelson didn’t have a birdie in his round of two-over 72, which gave him second place at three-under 277.

Third-round leader John Cook faded to a 74 and ended up tied for third at 278 with Tiger Woods, who closed with a 70 in his first appearance ever at the World Series, and Fred Funk, who had a final-round 68.

Vijay Singh had the day’s low round with a 66.

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Mark Calcavecchia ended a nearly 16-month winless streak, shooting a five-under-par 66 for a one-stroke victory over Andrew Magee in the Greater Vancouver Open at Surrey, Canada.

The 1989 British Open winner finished with a 19-under 265 total on the Northview Golf and Country Club course and earned a career-high $270,000 for his eighth PGA Tour title.

Magee shot a second consecutive 65, missing a 12-foot birdie attempt on the final hole, and earned $162,000. Bob Estes also closed with a 65 to finish third at 267.

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Bruce Summerhays made a one-foot par putt on the second playoff hole to beat Hugh Baiocchi and win the $1-million Saint Luke’s Classic at Belton, Mo.

Summerhays, winless in 101 Senior PGA Tour tournaments, shot a five-under-par 65 to come from six strokes back and force the playoff with Baiocchi, who had held or shared the lead the first two days but faded to a final-round 71.

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Colleen Walker shot a five-under-par 67 to win the Star Bank LPGA Classic at Beavercreek, Ohio, by two strokes and collect the $82,500 first prize plus a $100,000 bonus.

Walker, who won the du Maurier Classic earlier this month for her first major title, received the bonus as part of the CCN Champions’ Challenge, which offered the money to any winner who already had won a 1997 event.

Walker had a 13-under 203 total on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Country Club of the North course. Terry-Jo Myers, a two-time winner this year, closed with a 66--the day’s lowest round--to finish second.

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Annika Sorenstam closed with a two-under-par 70 for a six-stroke victory in the Compaq Open at Stockholm. It was her sixth title of the year.

Playing with Nancy Lopez in the last group, Sorenstam’s lead was cut to three strokes after Lopez made a 26-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole. But Lopez’s game then fizzled and she finished with a 74.

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Defending champion Per-Ulrik Johansson shot a three-under-par 69 to rout the field in the European Open at Dublin, Ireland, while Ryder Cup hopeful Jose Maria Olazabal improved his selection chances by shooting a 65.

Johansson finished 21-under at 267, six strokes ahead of England’s Peter Baker, who closed with a 68. Olazabal and Scotland’s Raymond Russell, who had a 66, finished at 274.

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Australia’s Paul Gow shot his second consecutive seven-under-par 65 for a two-stroke victory over Steve Lamontagne in the Nike Permian Basin Open at Odessa, Texas.

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The Year of the Tiger

The World Series of Golf completed the first 12 months of Tiger Woods’ professional career. And what a year it has been:

* TOURNAMENTS: 25

* VICTORIES: 6

(1996 Las Vegas Invitational, 1996 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic, 1997 Mercedes Championships, 1997 Masters, 1997 GTE Byron Nelson Classic, 1997 Motorola Western Open).

* TOP 10 FINISHES: 14

* TOP 5 FINISHES: 12

* CAREER EARNINGS: $2,740,514

(86th on all-time list, $7,000 behind Johnny Miller)