SHANGHAI — Francesco Molinari outlasted Lee Westwood in a spirited duel in the HSBC Champions for a one-shot victory Sunday.
Molinari closed with a 5-under 67 and a 19-under 269 total for his first win this year and only the second of his career. He spoiled the debut of Westwood as the world’s No. 1 player, although the Englishman put up a fight worthy of his ranking.
Two shots behind on the par-5 18th, Westwood hit a big drive that left him only an iron into the green. He had a 25-foot eagle putt to force a playoff, but the ball stayed left of the hole the entire way, and Westwood had to settle for a 67.
• John Cook successfully defended his title in the Champions Tour’s season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in San Francisco, while Bernhard Langer took his first season points title.
Cook shot 4-under 67, holing a 15-foot par putt on the 18th hole to beat Michael Allen by two strokes. He finished at 17-under.
• Jiyai Shin won the Mizuno Classic in Shima, Japan, for her second LPGA Tour victory of the season and eighth overall, closing with a 5-under 67 for a two-stroke victory over Yani Tseng (66).
Italy defeats U.S. at Fed Cup
SAN DIEGO — Flavia Pennetta routed 18-year-old CoCo Vandeweghe 6-1, 6-2 to give Italy its second straight Fed Cup final victory over the United States.
Pennetta’s victory in the fourth singles match gave the Italians a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five finale. Her victory came after Melanie Oudin stunned French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-3, 6-1 to keep the U.S. alive.
• Roger Federer reclaimed his hometown title from Novak Djokovic, beating the defending champion 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in the Swiss Indoors final in Basel.
• David Ferrer beat Marcel Granollers 7-5, 6-3 to win the Valencia Open in Spain, virtually assuring himself of a spot in the season-ending ATP Tour finals.
Vettel captures F1 race
SAO PAULO — Sebastian Vettel took the lead at the first corner and cruised to victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, setting up a showdown for the Formula One title at next weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Red Bull teammate Mark Webber was second and championship leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari third.
Galaxy advances with win
CARSON, Calif. — David Beckham set up goals by Edson Buddle with a corner kick and Omar Gonzalez with a free kick in an eight-minute span of the first half to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference semifinal.
The Galaxy will next host FC Dallas after winning the two-game aggregate series against Seattle 3-1.
Footnotes.
Blame, which ended 6-year-old Zenyatta’s 19-race winning streak Saturday in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is headed for the breeding shed and will stand as a stallion in Kentucky.
• Shortstop Jhonny Peralta is staying with the Detroit Tigers after agreeing to an $11.25 million, two-year contract.
The Associated Press
