U.S. loses Curtis Cup after run of 16 years

Associated Press

Posted: June 12, 2012

NAIRN, Scotland - Britain-Ireland rallied to beat the United States, 101/2-91/2, in the Curtis Cup on Sunday, ending the Americans' 16-year domination of the biennial women's amateur matches.

Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland scored the critical point, beating Amy Anderson, 4 and 2, in the seventh of the eight matches at the Nairn Golf Club.

Britain-Ireland and Europe now hold the Curtis Cup, the men's Walker Cup, plus the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup.

The United States leads the series, 27-7-3.

PGA Tour

MEMPHIS - Dustin Johnson won the St. Jude Classic in his second event back from an injury that sidelined him nearly three months, shooting a 4-under 66 to beat John Merrick by a stroke.

Johnson birdied Nos. 16 and 17 and closed with a par to finish at 9-under 271. He earned $1,008,000 for his sixth PGA Tour title, at the TPC Southwind course.

Johnson aggravated his back in early March lifting a jet ski at his home and didn't return to the PGA Tour until last week at the Memorial, where he tied for 19th.

Merrick finished with a 68.

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III had a 69 to tie for third with Chad Campbell, Nick O'Hern and Ryan Palmer at 7 under.

Rory McIlroy, the defending champion next week in the U.S. Open, closed with a double bogey for a 69 that left him in a tie for seventh at 6 under.

Champions Tour

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Tom Lehman successfully defended his title in the Regions Tradition, finishing with a 4-under 68 for a 2-stroke victory.

Lehman finished at 14-undeer 275 in near-constant drizzle and occasional heavy rain at Shoal Creek. Bernhard Langer and Chien Soon Lu shot 66 to tie for second.