SYDNEY — The loudest cheers were for Tiger Woods. The Australian Open belonged to Greg Chalmers.
Chalmers won his national championship for the second time today, closing with a 3-under-par 69 for a one-shot victory over fellow Australian John Senden.
Woods had his best chance of winning all year.
He pulled within one shot of the lead after chipping in for eagle on the 14th and closed with a 67. It wasn’t enough, though. Chalmers made a short birdie on the par-3 15th and played mistake-free the rest of the way.
Woods wound up alone in third, his best result against a full field since his last win two years ago at the Australian Masters.
• Catriona Matthew shot a 4-under-par 68 to take a three-stroke lead after the third round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Matthew, a 42-year-old Scot who won the last of her three LPGA Tour titles in 2009, had an 11-under 205 total at Guadalajara Country Club. Norway’s Suzann Pettersen (71) was second and defending champion I.K. Kim (70) was another stroke back along with Anna Nordqvist (73).
Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, tied for the lead after the first two rounds in the 36-player event, was 5-under after a 75. The 51-year-old Inkster is trying to become the oldest winner in LPGA Tour history.
• Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain shot a 10- under 61 for a three-shot lead after the second round of the rain-delayed Singapore Open.
Fernandez-Castano had nine birdies and one eagle to lead James Morrison of England and Edoardo Molinari of Italy, who both shot 68 and were tied at 12- under. Phil Mickelson shot 67 and was 4-under.
Federer faces Tsonga in Paris Masters final
PARIS — Roger Federer played a masterful match against Tomas Berdych to set up a Paris Masters final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who saved three match points against American John Isner.
Federer used his strong serve and did not face a break point in cruising past Berdych 6-4, 6-3. Tsonga edged the unseeded Isner 3-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (3).
NBA: Stern blames agents for troubles
NEW YORK — Commissioner David Stern blamed “greedy” NBA agents for trying to scuttle a new labor deal and believes they are trying to push their clients into a “losing strategy” of decertification.
And Stern says neither the threat of that process nor any request from the players union will change the league’s negotiating position.
Footnotes.
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton was added to the team’s injury report as probable after developing stiffness in his right throwing shoulder.
• Anaheim Ducks defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky will be out at least four weeks after breaking a finger on his right hand.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets activated center Jeff Carter off injured reserve.
