Golf: Perry pips Feherty

DAVID FEHERTY, who was involved in a tie for fourth place during the Open at Turnberry the previous weekend, was denied by just a single shot from winning the New England Classic at Sutton, Massachusetts, yesterday when the American Kenny Perry recorded a six-under-par 65 for victory.

The Northern Irishman birdied three of four holes to close within a stroke after the 17th. He missed a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole, however, and Perry registered a par to complete his second bogey-free round.

Perry, a consistent player in eight seasons on the American circuit, recorded his only previous US PGA triumph at the 1991 Memorial tournament. His four-day total of a 16-under par 268 at Sutton was only a stroke off the course record.

Meanwhile, Patty Sheehan took advantage of a stumbling finish by Helen Alfredsson to take a one- stroke lead after three rounds of the US Women's Open at Lake Orion, Michigan, on Saturday.

Sheehan fired a two-under-par 69 to lead the field with a seven- under-par 206, one stroke ahead of Tammie Green and two in front of Alfredsson, who shot a 76.