GOLFPERRY RACES TO SECOND STRAIGHT COLONIAL TITLE

Kenny Perry shot a 1-under 69 yesterday for a seven-stroke victory over Billy Mayfair and his second straight title at the Bank of America Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas.

After a double bogey at the 17th hole, Perry had to settle for matching his tournament scoring record of 19-under 261. It was the best 72-hole total on the PGA Tour this year and the largest margin of victory.

Last year at the Colonial, Perry tied the course record with a third-round 61 and won at 19 under. Perry began yesterday with a seven-stroke cushion, a lead that no PGA Tour player has ever squandered in a final round, and made sure there wouldn’t be any challengers.

Perry got to 20 under with an 11-footer at no. 5, a 472-yard hole that ranks as the toughest on the course.

David Toms (66), Joe Durant (66), and Peter Lonard (69) finished tied for third, a stroke behind Mayfair, at 11-under 269. Seven golfers, including Bernhard Langer (67), were tied for sixth at 10 under.

CREAMER, 18, WINS FIRST LPGA EVENT

Eighteen-year-old Paula Creamer made a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole yesterday to win the Sybase Classic by one stroke and become the second-youngest first-time winner ever on the LPGA Tour.

The former amateur star closed with a 1-under 71 on the Wykagyl Country Club course in New Rochelle, N.Y., including three birdies in her last five holes. She finished with a 6-under 278.

With the victory, Creamer became the youngest LPGA event winner since 1952. Marlene Hagge won the Sarasota Open that year, just 14 days after her 18th birthday.

Jeong Jang (67) and 2002 Sybase champion Gloria Park (71) tied for second at 279, one shot in front of Christina Kim (73), who led or shared the lead after each of the first three rounds. Heather Bowie (72) and Joo Mi Kim (73) finished another shot back at 281.

CYCLING

PARRA TAKES SECOND STRAIGHT STAGE AT GIRO D’ITALIA

Colombia’s Ivan Parra won the 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday for his second straight victory, while Paolo Savoldelli retained the overall lead. Parra’s triumph included climbing the Giro’s tallest peak – the 9,049-foot Stelvio pass – and was achieved when he broke away from the field in a replay of his stage victory at Ortisei on Saturday. He completed the 130.2-mile route from Egna to Livigno in six hours, 46 minutes, 33 seconds.

Savoldelli, of Italy, crossed the finish line nearly four minutes behind Parra, losing about 30 seconds to Danilo Di Luca and Gilberto Simoni in the overall standings.

Ivan Basso, the Giro leader until last Friday, is about one hour behind after stomach problems plagued him for the second straight day.

– Associated Press