Leonard wins British Open

TROON, July 20: American Justin Leonard putted supremely for a six-under-par 65 and overhauled Jesper Parvenik of Sweden to capture the British Open golf title by three strokes today.

The unheralded former US Amateur champion rifled in putts from all over the greens of Royal Troon including birdies from 15 feet and 35 feet at the 16th and 17th holes as once again Parvenik was denied the title.It seemed most likley to go to the Swede for most of the day, but Parvenik, who lost the 1994 Open at Turnberry to Nick Price when he bogeyed the final hole, missed a vital four-feet birdie putt at the 16th hole.

Then he bogeyed the last two holes to drop back into a tie for second place with Northern Irishman Darren Clarke.

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Leonard, winning only his third title as a professional, finished with a 12-under-par total of 272. Parvenik had a final round two-over-par 73 while Clarke compiled a level-par 71.

American Tom Lehman ended his disappointing title defence on an upbeat note with a five-under-par 66.

Three-times winner Nick Faldo completed one of his worst British Open since he was joint 53rd in 1985. Faldo compiled a closing 72 for a total of 291.