WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 07/21/03

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[VO-NAT]

A bomb attack on a U-S convoy leads to the latest series of American deaths in Iraq.
We'll have the latest.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And amid talks of budget cuts and red ink, it turns out the Commonwealth is in the BLACK.

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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[WRITER=kmc]
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[VO-NAT]

A U-S soldier and an Iraqi interpreter become the latest casualties in Iraq.
But there's also trouble brewing in another region.
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[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
Fighting in the capital of Liberia is taking a heavy toll.
The U-S Embassy is receiving mortar fire.
Hospital and emergency workers say at least 50 people have been killed in the attacks.
Meanwhile, in Iraq, plans are under way for a new army.
Teri Okita has more on that, plus more violence against American forces there.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[SUPER=01-John Kem/U. S. Army;]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]
((

TRACK: ALL THATS LEFT OF A U-S MILITARY CONVOY IS THIS SMOLDERING, MANGLED WRECK. GUERRILLAS IN BAGHDAD FIRED A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE THAT DESTROYED THE HUMVEE, AND IF AN IRAQI BYSTANDER HADNT PULLED ONE U-S SOLDIER FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CASUALTY COUNT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.

(Super: Lt. Col. John Kem/U.S. Army)
SOT: There were five people injured in the accident. One Iraqi and one
American were killed.
TRACK: OFFICIALS BLAME SADDAM LOYALISTS FOR FOUR OTHER DEATHS OF U-S TROOPS BETWEEN FRIDAY AND SUNDAY. SINCE MAY FIRST, WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH ANNOUNCED MAJOR COMBAT OPERATIONS OVER, 38-SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN KILLED.
TRACK: TO CURB THE ANTI-AMERICAN VIOLENCE, THE NEW GENERAL AT CENTRAL COMMAND PLANS TO CREATE A NEARLY SEVEN-THOUSAND STRONG IRAQI ARMY THAT WILL WORK ALONGSIDE U-S TROOPS. THEYLL BE TRAINED BY U-S SOLDIERS AND READY FOR DUTY WITHIN 45-DAYS.

(NATSD OF MONDAY DEMONSTRATION)

TRACK: BUT ONE SHIITE CLERIC WHO WIELDS ENORMOUS POWER WITH MUSLIMS IN IRAQ WANTS TO ESTABLISH AN ISLAMIC ARMY. CLERIC MOQTADA AL-SADR IS ASKING VOLUNTEERS TO REGISTER FOR THE ISLAMIC ARMY AND BE READY TO DEFEND IRAQ

(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)
STANDUP: Sadr fell short of calling for an armed struggle against coalition forces but wants the coalition to leave the country and has denounced Iraqs new, U-S sponsored governing council. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington.
))

[Korea-Nuclear]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
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South Korea's government is dimissing a report in the "New York Times" that says North Korea may have built a second secret plant for producing plutonium.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

South Korea also predicts there will be new talks soon on defusing the nuclear crisis.
A top adviser says the U-S, China and North Korea are in the ``final stages'' of arranging a meeting. Meanwhile, there's more tough talk from the North--
The government news agency today said the North won't give up its nuclear programs without a legally binding non- aggression commitment from the U-S.
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[Budget-Surpl]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=cda]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Budget]
Governor Mark Warner says Virginia finished this past fiscal year with a 55 million-dollar surplus. The surplus accounts for less than one-half of one percent of the total budget, that ended June 30th. Individual income taxes and sales taxes fell short of their goal, but corporate taxes, insurance premium taxes and the lottery exceeded estimates to make up the difference. The state has cut 42- hundred employees, 12 agencies and 58 boards since Warner took office to help close the $6 billion in budget shortfalls. Warner says he is happy Virginia will start the new fiscal year with a balanced budget, but says we still have a long way to go.

[CA-Recall]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
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Later this week, the California Secretary of State will announce whether enough valid signatures have been collected to hold a special election to recall Governor Gray Davis.
If it succeeds, it would make the history books.
There hasn't been a successful gubernatorial recall in the U-S since 19-17.
Sandra Hughes reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Darrell Issa/(R) California; :47]
[SUPER=01-Arnold Schwarzenegger/Actor; 1:51]
[SUPER=01-Condoleezza Rice/National Security Advisor; 2:10]
[SUPER=01-Bob Stern/Center for Governmental Studies; 2:27]
[SUPER=01-Sandra Hughes/CBS News; 2:36]
[RUNS=2:49]
[OUT Q=Hughes, in Los Angeles.]
((

IN A SUMMER OF SEQUELS -- ADD THIS: CALIFORNIA ELECTION 2002 -- PART TWO.

NATSOT NOV 2002

ONLY EIGHT MONTHS AFTER HIS RE-ELECTION -- DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR GRAY DAVIS -- WITH HIS APPROVAL RATE SINKING TO 23% AND A BUDGET DEFICIT SOARING TO 38 BILLION DOLLARS -- IS FIGHTING BACK AN EFFORT TO THROW HIM OUT.

NATSOT have you signed the recall gray davis petition yet?

A RECALL PETITION DRIVE. BACKERS SAY SINCE MARCH, THEY'VE COLLECTED MORE THAN THE 900-THOUSAND SIGNATURES THEY NEED FOR A SPECIAL FALL ELECTION TO RECALL DAVIS AND PICK HIS REPLACEMENT.

(SOT Rep.. Darrell Issa -- R-Ca) "I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO
BRING PEOPLE INTO THE STATE INSTEAD OF HAVING THE JOBS FLEE THE STATE.

THIS MAN WANTS THE DAVIS' JOB NOW. CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISSA -- WHO MADE MILLIONS IN CAR ALARMS -- PLUNKED DOWN MORE THAN A MILLION OF IT TO FUND THE RECALL DRIVE.

(SOT Rep. Darrell issa -- R-Ca) "51% of the likely voters in this
state have supported this recall or will vote for recall. :05

natsot college protest

CALIFORNIANS ARE FED UP, AS FEES FOR COLLEGE TUITION AND CAR REGISTRATION ARE GOING UP -- AND SUBSIDIES TO NURSING HOMES AND TRIAL COURTS ARE GOING DOWN -- ALL BECAUSE OF BUDGET GRIDLOCK AND POLITICAL DEADLOCK IN THE CAPITOL -- WHERE REPUBLICANS, SMELLING BLOOD, AREN'T GIVING DAVIS AN INCH.

DEMOCRATS -- THE MAJORITY PARTY IN THE STATE -- ARE FIGHTING THE RECALL -- TRYING TO DIRTY UP ISSA -- BY PUBLICIZING OLD WEAPONS CHARGES.

natsot "issa, recall your criminal record!"

AND FOR NOW, ALL THE STATE'S PROMINENT DEMOCRATS SAY IF THERE'S A RECALL BALLOT, THEY WON'T BE ON IT.

(RIORDAN-SIMON-SCHWARZENEGGER)

BUT THERE ARE MORE REPUBLICANS WAITING TO SEE IF THE ELECTION'S A GO ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS CAMPAIGNING, TALKING TO THE TROOPS IN BAGHDAD ABOUT IRAQ.

(SOT Arnold Schwarzenegger/actor) "there is no Money, disastrous
financially. then there's the leadership vacuum, pretty much like in California right now! applause :10
NARR: THE WHITE HOUSE REPORTEDLY IS NOT THRILLED BY ALL THIS. THEY'D RATHER HAVE DAVIS DIG HIMSELF A DEEPER HOLE -- AND THEN RUN A STRONG REPUBLICAN IN 2006 -- PERHAPS THIS ONE:

(sot condoleezza rice/nat'l security advisor -- june 2003 )

I do look forward to returning to California some time in the near future. :05

(BEACH - CARNIVAL)

IT'S ALL UNCHARTED TERRITORY, AND OBSERVERS NATIONWIDE ARE SHAKING THEIR HEADS, "THERE GO THOSE WACKY CALIFORNIANS AGAIN"

(sot bob stern/center for governmental studies)

the big problem with this recall is that it's never happened before. we really don't know what's going to happen, and because recalls are so rare, we don't know the consequences. :10
ON/CAM CLOSE: BUT ONE STATE DEMOCRAT'S ALREADY PROMISING THIS: IF DAVIS LOSES A RECALL ELECTION TO A REPUBLICAN -- THERE'LL BE A CAMPAIGN TO RECALL THE WINNER . . . . . . THE VERY NEXT DAY. FOR THE EARLY SHOW, THIS IS SANDRA HUGHES, IN LOS ANGELES.))
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A noted Christian leader has passed away. We'll have the details next.
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[VO-NAT ]
Plus an American family from North Carolina is killed in a plane crash in Kenya.
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[Kenya-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

Recovery efforts are being hampered by bad weather atop Kenya's second highest mountain, the site of a plane crash that killed three generations of a family from the U-S.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Mount Kenya;]

The small plane was carrying 12 Americans and two South African pilots when it crashed over the weekend.
A team of Kenyan police and recovery workers is combing through the wreckage.
The family members who were killed had ties to Georgia and North Carolina-- including the former college roommate of U-S Senator Elizabeth Dole.
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[Bill-Bright]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
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The man who founded Campus Crusade for Christ has died.
Bill Bright died yesterday at his home in Orlando, Florida of pulmonary fibrosis.
In 1957, Bright summarized the Christian message in a 77-word booklet he titled ``The Four Spiritual Laws.''
Since its founding in 1951, Campus Crusade has spread to 191 countries.
In 1979, the ministry released a film depiction of the Gospel of Luke titled ``Jesus'' that has since been dubbed into more than 650 languages.
His long-time friend, the Reverend Billy Graham, said in a statement that Bright was dedicated to ``the evangelization of the world.''
Bill Bright was 81 years old.

[11D'ville-Strike]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-31 TC-27:34]
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Union workers in Danville rallied yesterday in what they called an effort to save jobs.
They hope their show of support will stop companies from moving jobs south of the border.
Jennifer Wishon reports.
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[SUPER=03-Danville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Leroy Jones/Dan River Fabrics Employee; :10]
[SUPER=@Reynolds; :49]
[SUPER=@hurt; :55]
[SUPER=01-Danny Barber/USWA Local 831 President; 1:15]
[SUPER=01-J.C. Richardson/Goodyear Retiree; 1:33]
[SUPER=01-Scott Wallace/Goodyear Employee; 1:44]
[SUPER=@jennifer2; 1:55]
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[Victory-Stadium]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-30 TC-1:05:38]
[GRAPHIC=Victory Stadium]
A group trying to save a Roanoke landmark will take its case to Roanoke City Council tonight.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]
"Citizens for a Sensible Stadium Decision" went public about their hopes of renovating Victory Stadium about two months ago. Since then, they've gathered more than 5- thousand signatures in hopes that city council will grant them a referendum.

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[SOT 16:56:15:23]
[IN Q=We think it's]
((BRIAN WISHNEFF/CITIZENS FOR A SENSIBLE STADIUM DECISION: WE THINK IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY THAT SUCH A PUBLIC FACILITY WAS GONNA BE BUILT WITHOUT A REFERENDUM. I MEAN EVEN THE CIVIC CENTER IN ROANOKE TOOK THREE REFERENDUMS BEFORE IT PASSED AND REALLY IT'S UNPRECEDENTED TO SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY.))
[SUPER=01-Brian Wishneff/Citizens for a Sensible Stadium Decision;]
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[OUT Q=kind of money]
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[VO-NAT]
The city has already put plans in motion for a new Stadium- Amphitheater. But Citizens for Victory Stadium say they want to put the issue on the ballot so residents can decide how to proceed.

City council will hear from the group tonight at 7 o'clock in the Municipal Building.
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[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next on the newscast,
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[VO-NAT ]
we'll meet a young, make that a very young golfer, who is making a name for himself.
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[Toddler-Golfer]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Look out Tiger--
There's a NEW prodigy on the golf course, and he doesn't even have all of his teeth yet.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]

Two- year- old Gavin Noble started going to the golfing range with his father when he was a baby.
Now as a toddler, he takes to the greens like a pro, and has an impressive swing.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=He knows...]
[SUPER=01-Scott Noble/Gavin's Father;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=tee it up, Daddy.]
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[VO-NAT]

Nobel says his son could spend all day at the range, and doesn't like to leave.
He says Gavin is also a big fan of Tiger's.
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[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [7/21/2003] [TWO SHOT]

[WXPRO/FULL]

[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]

[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
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On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was DOWN 93 points. The NASDAQ has dropped 31.

[super=460-y/93/y/31]
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up in sports - Kobe Bryant maintains his innocence while prosecutors promise a guilty verdict if the rape case goes to trial
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[VO-NAT ]
And - A surprise conclusion to the British Open - as a rookie walks away with the top prize.
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[COMM BREAK #3]

[Kobe]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

N-B-A star Kobe Bryant remains free on 25- thousand dollars bail after being charged with felony sexual assault on Friday.
A Colorado prosecutor says he can prove the Bryant is guilty.
If he IS convicted, Bryant faces the possibility of life behind bars.
Vince Gonzales has the latest.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mark Hurlbert/Eagle County District Attorney; :06 QUICK]
[SUPER=07-Kobe Bryant; :26]
[SUPER=01-Pamela Mackey/Bryant's Attorney; :37]
[SUPER=03-Eagle, CO; :48]
[SUPER=01-Jake Vangen/Colorado Resident; :56]
[SUPER=01-Mike Crumpton/Bryant Fan; 1:09]
[SUPER=01-Arthur Barens/Attorney; 1:18]
[SUPER=01-Vince Gonzales/CBS News; 1:28]
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[OUT Q=Gonzales, CBS News, Los Angeles.]
((
SCRIPT

(NARR:) On the basketball court, there isn't much Kobe Bryant can't
do...

(NATS UP) Kobe slam

(NARR:) But in the court of law...

(SOT: MARK HURLBERT, EAGLE CO. DISTRICT ATTORNEY,)
"CHARGES WERE FILED AGAINST KOBE BEAN BRYANT..."

(NARR:) ...the 24 year old Laker superstar is just another criminal
defendent...up against his toughest opponent yet: allegations that he sexually assaulted a nineteen year old woman at this exclusive Colorado resort. Bryant, his wife, and his legal team are already on defense.

(SOT: KOBE, ) I DIDN'T FORCE HER TO DO ANYTHING AGAINST HER WILL. I'M
INNOCENT.

(SOT: PAMELA MACKEY, BRYANT'S ATTORNEY)
HIS DEFENSE IS WHAT HAPPENED IN EAGLE COUNTY, WAS A SEXUAL ENCOUNTER BETWEEN TWO CONSENTING ADULTS.

(NARR:) In Eagle, Colorado, a rural community not far from Vail, many
of its 3500 residents are rallying behind the alleged victim.

(SOT: JAKE VANGEN, COLORADO RESIDENT,)
"SHE'S AN HONEST GIRL. SHE'S REALLY GOOD IN SCHOOL AND OBVIOUSLY REALLY TALENTED AND I DON'T THINK SHE'D MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT UP."

(NARR:) But in Los Angeles, fans of the hometown hero can't believe
Bryant is guilty as charged.

(SOT: MIKE CRUMPTON,)
"KOBE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG ROLE MODEL FOR ME. I DON'T THINK HE'S AS GUILTY AS EVERYBODY SAYS HE IS (:04)

(NARR:) Prosecutors say they have the evidence to prove their case.
But:

(SOT: ARTHUR BARENS, ATTORNEY) "THESE ARE DIFFICULT CASES FOR THE
PROSECUTION. THESE ARE CASES THAT DON'T INVOLVE WITNESSES. THE ONLY THING THAT SPEAKS AS A WITNESS TYPICALLY IS THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE.
CLOSE: A Colorado jury will most likely decide whether this NBA superstar trades his life of fame...for life in prison. Vince Gonzales, CBS News, Los Angeles. ))

[S-NASCAR]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-152 11:28]
[GRAPHIC=nascar]

Jimmy Johnson shifted onto Victory Lane yesterday at New Hampshire International Speedway.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Loudon, NH/TNT; :00]
The caution flags flew early and often in this one.
Dale Earnhart Junior spins Rusty Wallace on lap 110 for the fifth yellow of the afternoon, but Rusty would race again.
Then, the most violent crash of the day .
Jamie McMurray hits the wall hard for the 10th caution, but he was not injured.
This race came down to fuel mileage.
Johnson took the lead for good with 46 laps to go, and had just the right amount.
He wins the new England 300 for his second win of the season.
Kevin Harvick was second, Matt Kenseth came in third, Ryan Newman was fourth and Robby Gordon Fifth.
(------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[graphic=Hold]

Jeff Gordon finished 24th and now trails Kenseth in the points race by 234 points after 19 of 36 races.
Dale Earnhardt Jr's sixth place finish moves him to within 39 points of Gordon.

[Tour-France]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Cutin]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Tour de France]

Lance Armstrong survived a fall after striking a spectator to win today's stage of the Tour de France.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File]
The win increases the Texan's overall lead to 67 seconds. Earlier today, as Armstrong was trying to pull away from second-place Jan Ullrich (Yahn OOL'-rihk), his handlebar got caught on the out-stretched hand of a spectator. Armstrong got back into the race immediately, and just as he was getting back to Ullrich (OOL-RIHK), he slipped off his pedal and onto his crossbar. Armstrong recovered and passed Ullrich to win the 15th stage.
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[S-British]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-151 11:36]
[GRAPHIC=British open]
A surprising finish at the British Open.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sandwich, England/ABC; :00]
26-year-old P-G-A Tour rookie Ben Curtis outplayed many of the game's biggest names on the final day at Royal St. George's.
Despite four bogeys on his last eight holes, Curtis closed with a 2-under-par 69 to finish at 1-under-par 283, the only four-r ound score under par.
He never placed in a PGA event before playing the British Open.
Vijay Singh and Thomas Bjorn (TOH'-mahs) (Byork) were one shot back at 284.
Tiger Woods and Davis Love the Third were next at 285. Curtis, listed 396th in the world rankings, is believed to be the first player since the 1913 U-S Open to win the first major championship in which he played.
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