June 23, 2003	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 22,1424

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GLENEAGLES (Scotland), June 22: Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen clinched his maiden European Tour victory at the Diageo Championship on Sunday with a closing round of even-par 72.

The 28-year-old Dane, five clear of the field at the start of the day, won by two shots after finishing at nine-under 279.

Kjeldsen’s breakthrough success, which followed three top-10 finishes earlier in the season, earned Denmark its first title on the 2003 European Tour.

Local favourite Alastair Forsyth carded a 69 for second place at seven under with fellow Briton Paul Broadhurst (70) third at six-under 282.

Seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie finished a further stroke back in fourth after a final-round 69.

Leading final round scores (Britain unless stated):

279 — Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark) 72, 68, 67, 72.

281 — Alastair Forsyth 70, 73, 69, 69.

282 — Paul Broadhurst 73, 68, 71, 70.

283 — Colin Montgomerie 72, 73, 69, 69.

285 — Rolf Muntz (Netherlands) 72, 70, 73, 70; Miguel Angel Martin (Spain) 74, 70, 70, 71; Stephen Gallacher 76, 71, 67, 71.

286 — John Bickerton 74, 71, 71, 70; Adam Scott (Australia) 72, 75, 66, 73.

287 — Stephen Dodd 72, 71, 75, 69; Raphael Jacquelin (France) 74, 72, 71, 70; Richard Green (Australia) 74, 75, 68, 70.

288 — Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) 76, 73, 71, 68; Paul Casey 76, 71, 68, 73.

3RD ROUND SUSPENDED

HARRISON (New York): Heavy rain forced the suspension of the Buick Classic third round on Saturday, with organisers hopeful the final two rounds can be completed on Sunday.

Briny Baird, one clear of the field overnight and chasing his first PGA Tour title, had doubled his lead and was 11 under par after six holes when play was called off for the day.

Skip Kendall was second at nine under, also after six holes, one stroke ahead of Tom Gillis, after eight, and Joey Sindelar, after seven.

British Open champion Ernie Els was in a share of seventh at six under, after 11 holes, while world number one Tiger Woods was among a group of five tied for 15th at five under, after seven.

Players had teed off in threesomes from the first and 10th holes in a bid to beat the weather, but none managed to complete Saturday’s scheduled third round.

Rain forced the first delay at 0936 EDT (1456 GMT), and there was a second halt shortly after 1300 (1800) before PGA Tour officials abandoned play for the day at 1500 (2000).—Reuters