Honda Classic

Justin Leonard edged out his close friend Davis Love

Justin Leonard produced a superb final round 67 to win the Honda Classic by one stroke over fellow Americans Chad Campbell and Davis Love.

Leonard, the 1997 British Open champion, made five birdies during the first 11 holes to put himself in control of the tournament.

Another at the 15th gave Leonard a two-stroke cushion going into the 18th hole, where he settled for bogey but still won the eighth title of his career with a 72-hole total of 24-under par.

Overnight leader Love, the 1997 PGA Championship winner, fired a final-round 69 to settle for a share of second with Campbell, who finished with a 65.

LEADERBOARD -24 Justin Leonard (US) -23 Chad Campbell (US), Davis Love (US) -22 Tim Herron (US) -21 Billy Mayfair (US), Jim Furyk (US), Notah Begay (US)

But Love will rue his bogey at the 16th, which effectively handed his good friend Leonard the title.

Tim Herron was fourth at 266, one stroke ahead of fellow Americans Billy Mayfair, Jim Furyk and Notah Begay.

Leonard won his first title since last year at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and made this the fourth year in a row he will have won at least one US tour crown.

His only wins in 2000 and 2001 came at the Texas Open.

Qatar Open

Darren Fichardt almost pulled out of the event

Darren Fichardt, persuaded by his wife to compete in the Qatar Masters, scooped the title and $250,000 first prize after a tense finish in Doha.

Fichardt beat fellow South African James Kingston at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off after they had tied on the 13 under par mark of 275, two ahead of Irish Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley.

The 27-year-old from Pretoria was thinking of joining the 50 players who pulled out as war with Iraq looms, but wife Natasha, a trained psychologist, told him: "Don't be lazy and don't be a wimp."

After a gruelling 30-hole final day - Thursday's play was hit by a sandstorm - Fichardt admitted that with hindsight he was pleased with the decision to travel.

"We didn't know quite what was going on here and were quite iffy about it, but I'm really happy we came now."

Kingston was favourite entering the closing stretch, but failed to pick up a shot at either the 16th or downwind par five last after Fichardt set the target with birdies at both.

When they returned to the 16th Kingston found sand and could only par, while Fichardt birdied it, two-putting from 45 feet.

LEADERBOARD -13 James Kingston (SA), Darren Fichardt (SA) Fichardt wins play-off -11 Paul McGinley (Irl) -10 David Howell (Eng) -7 Peter Hedblom (Swe), Peter Fowler (Aus)

It was Fichardt's second European tour win after victory in Brazil two years ago.

Luton's Phil Golding will not forget the day in a hurry, although he will wish he could after being penalised four strokes for having an extra club in his bag.

He would have been in a tie for fifth without the mistake.

McGinley started the week with pneumonia and thought the adage "beware the sick golfer" would come true again.

"I felt it was destiny for me to win this week, but it wasn't to be.

"The last four holes of the third round this morning were where I lost it."

The event was clouded in controversy thanks to a decision after the delayed second round to cut to the top 50 players and ties rather than the leading 70 and ties.

It cost 35 players their place and many were furious as they packed their bags a day earlier than they expected.

Ian Woosnam, Tony Johnstone, Rolf Muntz and Anders Hansen were among those affected.

Acting tournament director David Williams, a former tour player, said the decision was the only way to get the 72 holes in.

"With rounds taking five and a half hours we simply could not have done it with 89 players," he said.