Stricker wins playoff; Clark still shut out

FORT WORTH, Texas - Steve Stricker birdied the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to beat Tim Clark and Steve Marino and win the Crowne Plaza Invitational yesterday at Colonial Country Club. It was his first title after finishing second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh in other tournaments this year.

"I feel fortunate," Stricker said. "I've been on the other end a couple of times this year where you feel you are going to win and end up losing. This feels very good."

Clark went in having won the most money ($12.7 million) without winning a tournament in PGA Tour history. His 0-for-183 skid seemed likely to end when he held a 2-stroke lead with five holes to play.

But he couldn't keep it up, taking bogeys on No. 14 and No. 18. He came up short on his par putt on No. 18 to force the playoff.

Stricker and Marino shot a final-round 68, and Clark an even-par 70 to all finish at 17-under 263.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa - Mark McNulty won the Principal Charity Classic for his seventh Champions Tour victory, beating Fred Funk with a 30-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole of a playoff on the Glen Oaks Country Club course.

McNulty, Funk, and Nick Price finished regulation at 10-under 203. McNulty and Funk birdied the second extra hole to eliminate Price.

ASH, England - Christian Cevaer of France won the European Open by a stroke at 7-under 281. Steve Webster, Gary Orr, and Alvaro Quiros tied for second at London Club's Heritage Course.