NORTON, Mass. — Steve Stricker squeezed everything he could out of his final shot Sunday in the Deutsche Bank Championship, setting up an eagle that gave him a share of the lead in a tournament loaded with possibilities.
Stricker, who can overtake Tiger Woods atop the FedEx Cup standings with a victory, hit a hybrid to within 5 feet on the par-5 18th, setting up the eagle in a 6-under-par round of 65. He was among a dozen players separated by three shots going into the Labor Day finish.
Sean O’Hair, who started the third round tied for the lead, overcame a sluggish start with birdies on two of the last three holes for a 70. Retief Goosen (68) had a chance to take the outright lead until he failed to get up-and-down from a bunker on the 18th.
While the leaders were at 13-under 200, Woods shot 1-over 72 that left him nine back in a tie for 30th.
• Suzann Pettersen closed with a 1-under 70 for a five-shot victory at the Canadian Women’s Open in Priddis, Alberta, her first LPGA Tour win in nearly two years.
• Jeff Sluman overcame a six-stroke deficit to defend his Walmart First Tee Open title, finishing with a 4-under 68 for a two-stroke victory over Gene Jones ( 70) in Pebble Beach, Calif.
• Alexander Noren (66) won the European Masters in Crans-Sur-Sierre, Switzerland, by two shots over Bradley Dredge (65).
Longshot wins Pacific Classic
DEL MAR, Calif. — Longshot Richard’s Kid came from next-to-last early and passed Einstein in the final few strides to win Del Mar’s signature $1 million Pacific Classic.
• Inseperable won the $624,789 All American Derby in Ruidoso Downs, N.M., by a neck over top qualifier Fantastic Corona Jr.
Evans takes Vuelta lead
ALTO DE AITANA, Spain — Damiano Cunego of Italy won the eighth stage of the Spanish Vuelta with a powerful climb up the final ascent, and Cadel Evans gained the overall lead.
• Steve Peat of Britain won the men’s downhill and Emmeline Ragot of France the women’s title at the world mountain bike championships in Canberra, Australia.
Footnotes.
Antron Brown raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in top fuel at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Clermont, Ind. Robert Hight (funny car), Mike Edwards (pro stock) and Matt Smith (pro stock motorcycle) led their respective categories.
• Tamika Catchings scored 20 points and reserve rookie Briann January added 16 as the Indiana Fever beat the visiting Washington Mystics 72-61 in the WNBA.
• Kara Braxton scored 17 points to help the Detroit Shock win its third straight game, 84-75 over the Chicago Sky.
• Leon Roach, a 19-year-old college pole vaulter, died Saturday after missing the landing pad during practice at the University of California, San Diego’s La Jolla campus and landing head first on concrete.
• Natalie Darwitz scored a power-play goal 1:18 into the third period, and Jessie Vetter made 34 saves to lead the U.S. to the Hockey Canada Cup championship with a 2-1 win over rival Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Associated Press
