GOLF

ROOKIE O’HAIR HANGS ON FOR DEERE CLASSIC WIN

Sean O’Hair shot a 6-under-par 65 yesterday, holding off J.L. Lewis and Hank Kuehne to win the John Deere Classic for his first career victory. The rookie, who turns 23 today and was making only his 18th career start, finished with a 16-under 268.

Kuehne and Lewis were two holes behind O’Hair, and both were at 15-under after 17. If either made birdie on 18, it was going to a playoff. Lewis folded first, putting his second shot in the water. Kuehne had a 24-footer for birdie, but he left it about two feet short, sealing the win for O’Hair.

Kuehne (68) and Robert Damron (67) finished one stroke behind O’Hair at 269. Lewis (72), defending champion Mark Hensby (64),and Wes Short (66) were at 270.The tournament had lost much of its buzz after Michelle Wie botched two of her last four holes Friday to miss the cut by two strokes.

CLARK WINS WILD BRITISH OPEN TUNE-UP

Tim Clark survived seven lead changes in a wild scramble among five players, then pulled away for a 4-under 67 and a two-shot victory yesterday in the Scottish Open. Needing only two putts from 18 feet on the last hole, Clark made the birdie putt to finish at 19-under 265, tying the 72-hole scoring record at Loch Lomond set by Tom Lehman in 1997.

Clark was among five players who had at least a share of the lead, then had to outlast Maarten Lafeber in a tense duel along the back nine. Lafeber had a one-shot lead until he failed to match Clark’s birdie on the par-5 13th, lipping out from five feet. Lafeber lost the lead for good when he threeputted on the 15th. He closed with a 69 to finish at 267, tied for second with Darren Clarke (66).

BASEBALL

REPORT: ROGERS WILL GO TO ALL-STAR GAME

Kenny Rogers left the Texas Rangers’ clubhouse yesterday without saying whether he will participate in Tuesday’s All-Star game, but later told a newspaper that he is going to Detroit. Rogers told team officials that he wasn’t speaking to reporters after the Rangers beat Toronto in their final game before the break.

The Dallas Morning News reported last night on its Web site that the 40-year-old left-hander was going, and wouldn’t be deterred by boos. Rogers has continued to pitch while the players’ association appeals his 20-game suspension and $50,000 fine for shoving two cameramen last month. Rogers’s contract includes a $50,000 bonus for being an All-Star.

– Associated Press