Golf: Hall makes it three out of five

Walter Hall, playing his first season on the Seniors Tour, scored a closing 70 for an 11-under-par 277 to win the PGA Championship by three strokes at The Belfry yesterday.

It was the American's third seniors title in five starts since he turned 50 in June. Hall, from North Carolina, returned to the professional game only four years ago after a career as an engineering salesman.

Europe's leading senior, Tommy Horton, made a late run chasing his fourth win of the season, but closed with 68 for second place. His cheque for pounds 16,600 took him over the pounds 100,000 mark for the second year in a row.

In Surrey, British Columbia, Mark Calcavecchia ended a two-year run without a victory with a final round of 66 to take the Greater Vancouver Open. Calcavecchia edged out Andrew Magee by one stroke with a 19-under total of 265.

In Akron, Ohio, Greg Norman won his second NEC World Series title in three years. In a year when players in their 20s won three of the four major championships, the 42-year-old Norman struck a blow for the older generation with a closing three-under-par 67 in persistent rain.

Taking advantage of preferred lies, the Australian compiled six birdies to collect his second World Series title in three years. Phil Mickelson hit 72 to finish second on 277.