Blackmar ends a nine year drought

PHIL BLACKMAR ended a nine year PGA Tour victory drought by winning the Houston Open with a birdie on the first play off hole yesterday.

The 39 year old American beat compatriot Kevin Sutherland after both fired final round two under par 70s to finish 12 under on 276.

Blackmar held a two stroke lead with two holes to play but a chip on the 17th rolled across the green and into a bordering lake. The resulting double bogey left him level with Sutherland.

Both made pressure filled par putts on the 18th; Blackmar's from six feet and Sutherland's from 10 to force the play off.

Blackmar won the 1988 Provident Classic with a first hole play off birdie to defeat Payne Stewart, and in 1985 he captured a title in Hartford with a first hole playoff birdie to beat Dan Pohl and Jodie Mudd.

Australia's Steve Elkington was third on 278, one stroke ahead of Hal Sutton and Scott Hoch.

. American Tammie Green, who led from start to finish, held off a strong challenge from Sweden's Annika Sorenstam at the LPGA Titleholders Championship at Daytona Beach, Florida, yesterday, to win her first LPGA title since 1994.

"To win wire to wire is special," Green said. "To maintain four rounds is great. It's a personal best."

Green, a 10 year LPGA veteran with five career titles, had a final round par 72 to finish 14 under on 274 - one stroke ahead of Sorenstam and two in front of Webb, Cindy Schryer and Kelly Robbins.