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Closing 69 lets Leonard leave Birkdale on good note

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Posted: Sunday July 19, 1998 10:26 AM

In the final round, Leonard was 13 shots better than he was on Saturday, when wicked winds contributed to his unsightly 82 (AP)

SOUTHPORT, England (Reuters) -- Defending champion Justin Leonard left the British Open with something to be pleased about after a closing 1-under-par 69 at Royal Birkdale on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Texan, who shot 82 in strong, swirling winds on Saturday, played in steady rain for 12 holes on Sunday and then in a moderate breeze blowing in the opposite direction from a day earlier.

"It was nice to play a good round today. Yesterday was not a lot of fun," he said. "I would have had a good feeling about this week no matter how I played today. But the way I played today, I'll enjoy it sooner. Otherwise it might have taken a couple of weeks.

"I think I prepared well. I knew it could be windy and we are used to the wind in Texas, but I just did not play very well."

Leonard, who totaled a 17-over-par 297, finished almost three hours before the leaders began their final rounds, with the last pair of leader Brian Watts and Jesper Parnevik going off at 9:40 a.m. EDT.

He played with Englishman Gary Evans. "Coming up the 18th I was talking to Gary and he told me to go on alone, which was a very nice gesture.

"It brought back memories of last year though in very different circumstances.

"I learn something every week," Leonard added. "I'm not sure what I've learned this week. I don't always figure that out right away. One thing I have learned: aim a little further right on No. 1."

That was the hole where he had a double-bogey six to start his third round on Saturday. On Sunday, he made par.

Another top American to finish early on Sunday was world No. 11 Phil Mickelson, though for him it was a tournament to quickly forget.

Mickelson, who on Saturday soared to the day's joint worst of 85, improved to 78 to finish at 308 -- 28 over par.

Sunday's score would have been better but for double bogey sixes at the 16th and 18th holes.

"It was really hard to keep my mind on it today. It was more a formality," the left-hander said.

"It was a disappointing week. It was a fair test, but I wish I had played better. This is your [English] summer?"

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