ILLINOIS: Masters champion Tiger Woods captured his sixth title in barely 10 months as a professional, firing a final-round four-under par 68 here on Sunday to win the PGA Western Open by three strokes.

Woods finished at 13-under par 275 at the $-2 million event in his final tuneup for the British Open later this month in Troon, Scotland. Frank Nobilo of New Zealand finished second after a final-round 70.

The $-360,000 first prize for his fourth title of 1997 gave Woods more than $ 1.7 million in winnings this year to make the 21-year-old prodigy the fastest player to reach $ two million in career earnings.

Yugoslavs best cagers in Europe

BARCELONA: Yugoslavia retained their men's title on Sunday by outclassing previously unbeaten Italy 61-49 in the European Basketball Championship final. In a game dominated by defenders, the Yugoslavs made the best of their scoring chances.

The holders snuffed out a brief Italian revival, and with guard Alexendar Djordjevic in control, were able to cruise to victory. Djordjevic, who plays in Spain with Barcelona, was voted Most Valuable Player of the tournament.Russia beat Greece 97-77 in the third place game.

Six years after, Borges breaks Popov

SAO PAULO: Brazilian Gustavo Borges finally laid his jinx to rest here on Sunday beating multi Olympic gold medallist Alexander Popov in a 100 metres duel ending a six year drought against the Russian.

Borges, who took Olympic silver at Barcelona and bronze in Atlanta behind Popov, beat popov, twice a gold medallist over 50 and 100 metres, in a nail biting battle, with the Brazilian touching first in 49.94secs while Popov finished in 50.60.

Holyfield wants to forget biting

JOHANNESBURG: Evander Holyfield is ready to put behind the infamous `ear-biting' incident involving Mike Tyson saying, ``It is a very sad and sorry incident that should never have taken place. I want to forget about it.''

Holyfield said he wanted to impress upon the young people South Africa and other parts of the world that education and sport were very important for a full life.

Essex lose but stay on top

LONDON: Mike Burns hit an impressive 83 from 90 balls to lead Somerset to a four-wicket victory over Sunday League leaders Essex. Burns struck his best score in the competition as eighth-placed Somerset reached their target of 210 with 16 balls to spare.

Burns had earlier performed admirably in the role of medium-pacer, taking two for 28 from six overs. Despite the defeat Essex remained top but Kent drew level on points after a two-run win over Northamptonshire.

Slimmer Diego ready for comeback

BUENOS AIRES: A slim-looking Diego Maradona, appearing fitter than he has done for months, said on Sunday he has lost 11 kilogra{ms since he started training with the disgraced Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson a month ago.

Maradona, 36, attended a news conference at a Buenos Aires hotel along with Johnson and said he was ready for what will be his fourth and final comeback attempt. To prove his new-found fitness, he ran on a specially-installed treadmill and said he weighed only 77 kgs.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.