■ Golf
Romero wins The Tradition
Eduardo Romero knocked in a short birdie putt on the first playoff hole against Lonnie Nielsen on Sunday to win The Tradition, the final major this season on the US PGA Champions Tour. Romero almost eagled the first playoff hole, leaving his 19-foot putt just short on No. 18. Nielsen bogeyed the hole. Romero was in the clubhouse at 13 under, after closing with a 5.8m birdie putt, when Nielsen birdied the par-5 No. 18 to force the playoff. Romero, an Argentine, crept up the leader board with an eagle and three birdies on the front nine. His eagle on No. 4 bounced on the green from 65m out and rolled in the cup. He finished with a 65, the low round of the tournament. Nielsen had a final round of 70 on the par-72 course at the Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club west of Portland, Oregon.
■ Sailing
Slingsby tops Laser class
Australian Tom Slingsby placed first in one race and second in another to secure a berth in the Laser-class medal race at the Qingdao International Regatta. Slingsby's impressive showing on Sunday, the seventh day of the ten-day regatta, means that all the positions in the final medal race are locked up. Olympic bronze medalist Vasilij Zbogar of Slovenia is leading the Laser class, with Britain's Paul Goodison just behind. Sunday's race took place amid light winds and a strong tidal current, conditions that have frequently plagued the regatta in Qingdao. This year's races are the first test event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
■ Cricket
Aussie Buchanan to resign
Australia's coach John Buchanan will resign after next year's World Cup in the Caribbean, Cricket Australia confirmed yesterday. Buchanan, who took over from Geoff Marsh in 1999, had his contract extended after Australia lost last year's Ashes series in England. Australia hosts the next Ashes series, which starts on Nov. 23 in Brisbane. The Australians will also be the defending World Cup champions when the 2007 competition starts in March. Buchanan and Australian captain Ricky Ponting were to hold a news conference at the team's camp in Coolum, Queensland, later yesterday. Buchanan, 53, has been one of Australia's most successful coaches, guiding the test squad to 64 wins and eight draws in 82 matches.
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