Golf: Allenby's charge

ROBERT ALLENBY, of Australia, comfortably won the Johnnie Walker Classic in Melbourne yesterday, registering his second tournament triumph in his first year as a professional.

The 21-year-old extended an overnight four-shot lead over fellow countryman and defending champion, Peter Senior, by one stroke with a final-round par 72 in difficult, windy conditions.

Britain's best was Jamie Spence, who shot a final round 74 to finish joint-ninth. His total of 287 put him three shots ahead of Colin Montgomerie, who had a disappointing last round of 76.

Senior held on to second place after the German Open champion, Vijay Singh, of Fiji, struggled to a 75 and Terry Price slumped with 77.

JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC (Melbourne) Leading final scores (Aus unless stated): 275 R Allenby 66 68 69 72. 280 P Senior 72 71 64 73. 283 V Singh (Fiji) 71 67 70 75. 284 L Wastle 70 68 71 75; R Davis 70 74 67 73. 285 T Price 71 67 70 77; A Painter 73 69 72 71. 286 A Magee (USA) 70 71 71 74. 287 D Mijovic (Can) 70 70 75 72; J Spence (GB) 71 70 72 74; Kyi Hla Han (Bur) 71 71 69 76. Selected: 290 M MacKenzie (GB) 74 71 72 73; C Montgomerie (GB) 66 73 75 76. 291 G Evans (GB) 71 75 74 71; S Richardson (GB) 74 68 77 72. 292 Mark Calcavecchia (US) 72 71 73 76; M Jimenez (Sp) 74 70 72 76. 293 M Gates (GB) 74 69 74 76.