Furyk Beats Woods

Jim Furyk’s career year just got better. Holding off Tiger Woods, he shot a four-under-par 68 Sunday at Grand Blanc, Mich., to win the Buick Open by two strokes.

The victory gives the U.S. Open champion two titles in a year for the first time.

Furyk played mistake-free golf, aside from a three-putt bogey from 26 feet on No. 11. He birdied the first two holes to extend the one-stroke lead he had to start the day. He finished with a 21-under 267.

Woods shot a 66 to finish at 19-under 269, tying for second place with Chris DiMarco, Geoff Ogilvy and Briny Baird.

The lowest moment for Woods was at No. 7, when his errant approach shot hit a fan, who needed three stitches to close the bleeding cut. Woods apologized to the fan, asked if help was on the way and said he felt “terrible” about what happened.

The fan, 52-year-old John Yates, when contacted later by Associated Press, was lighthearted about the incident, calling it “my most memorable moment in golf” and saying “I helped him out because my head knocked it back toward the hole.” Woods, who birdied the hole, gave Yates an autographed golf glove and ball.

The last time Furyk led after 54 holes was at the U.S. Open, where he won his first major title and finished with a 272, tying the tournament record held by Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Janzen.

He has been in the top 10 in 13 of 19 tournaments this year, with two victories, a second and a third-place finish.

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Allen Doyle shot a final-round 67 for a victory in the FleetBoston Classic at Concord, Mass., finishing at 15-under-par 198 to win by three strokes, his first title this year on the Champions Tour.

Bruce Fleisher shot 66, and Bob Gilder had a 68 to tie for second at 12-under 201. D.A. Weibring and Tom Purtzer were another shot back at 11 under.