Unser Regelwerk » s involved, the crowds were embarrassingly

DOHA, Qatar -- Sergio Garcia birdied the third extra hole to beat Mikko Ilonen in a playoff Saturday and win the Qatar Masters for his second victory in three events. Garcia entered the round three shots behind overnight leader Rafa Cabrera-Bello but birdied six of his last 12 for a 7-under 65, forcing Ilonen to make an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to force the playoff with a 66. They both finished on 16-under 272. Garcia missed an 8-foot birdie putt on the last that would have given him the win in regulation, and then couldnt make an eagle putt for the victory on the first playoff hole. The Spaniard and Ilonen both had birdies on the second extra hole as well before Garcia sealed the victory with a tap-in birdie at the third to Ilonens par. "I started the day thinking if I can shoot a 6 or 7 under, I can have a chance," Garcia. "Im very happy to be able to win it." Cabrera-Bello only managed a 69 and fell to a tie for third with Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark (68). Garcias victory helped make up for last years disappointment in Doha, when he finished runner-up after Englands Chris Wood eagled the last hole to claim his first European Tour win. It also came on the heels of his victory at the Thailand Golf Championship in December, when he had his girlfriend Katharina Boehm caddie for him. Boehm was among the first to congratulate him after he sealed the win on Saturday. "When things off the golf course are on good terms it is a little easier to concentrate when you dont have too many things in your head," Garcia said. "I am very fortunate with Kathy and with my family and all those around me, so its great to be playing well and to be in this winning situation with the goal now to keep improving. "I still feel like I can do better and that is the goal." Ilonen was seeking just his third tour victory after ending a six-year winless drought last June at the Nordea Masters. "I came up two shots short of my target in regulation thinking a 64 would win outright, but a 66 was good enough for the playoff," the Finn said. "But Sergio was a bit better than me." Olesen had the chance to join the playoff but missed his eight-foot eagle putt on 18. European No. 1 Henrik Stenson finished strongly with birdies on his last four holes for a 67 that put him in a tie for 28th -- perhaps a good sign at the end of a disappointing tournament ahead of next weeks Dubai Desert Classic. Wes Unseld Jersey . - Hitting was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Pirates weakness coming into the season yet they lead the major leagues in home runs through the first 16 games of the season. Gilbert Arenas Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.cheapwizardsjerseyssale.com/kids-jeff-green-wizards-jersey/ . - Doug Kalitta led Top Fuel qualifying Friday in the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway with a 3. Juwan Howard Jersey . His Chicago Blackhawks teammates werent shocked when he found it. Kanes career has been defined by his brilliance in the Blackhawks biggest moments, and his tiebreaking goal with 3:45 to play in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals will rank among the best. Otto Porter Jersey . The Brazilian-born strikers brace drew him level with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as the leagues leading scorers with 17 goals apiece through 16 rounds. "The important thing is to help the team win, not the goals," Diego Costa said. After a first half dominated by defence, Atletico pressed Valencia into its area and Diego Costa did the rest.Over the weekend, one of the most dramatic moments in recent Toronto pro sports took place Friday night. The Toronto Argonauts trailed the Hamilton Tiger Cats by 13 points with less than three minutes to play, before rallying for a dramatic come-from-behind win capped by Ricky Ray throwing a 69- yard touchdown pass to win it. You may have heard about it, but chances are you didnt see it if you live in Toronto. Even less a chance that you were there to see it live. And when you go back to work tomorrow, it wont be what everyone is talking about. In a football city, with a real football beating heart, it would be all the buzz. If this were Regina, Winnipeg, Calgary … even Vancouver, such an ending to a rivalry game would create ripples that would last for days if not all week. But not here in Toronto the worst football city in North America. Dont believe me? Where else is there a city where the matter of a football team winning or losing isnt a matter of concern for most of the citys sports fans. Nowhere, thats where. Except here. Because everywhere else in the US or Canada theres a pro or college football teams that captures the souls of the local populace. And think about it, every type of football entertainment there is has failed in Toronto. The Argos havent penetrated the citys mainstream sporting consciousness since the early 1980s. Thee university game at York University or the University of Toronto draws flies to watch teams that are usually not competitive.dddddddddddd They used to play the Vanier Cup in Toronto but unless a local team was involved, the crowds were embarrassingly small. The NCAA held a college game here called the International Bowl but it turned into a money-loser. And even the mighty NFL, the mighty NFL, flopped here when the Bills in Toronto series turned out to be a fiasco. The most popular sport in North America, a money sport across the continent, is a consistent money loser in Toronto where there is simply no football rallying point. Would it be different if the city ever got an NFL team? Absolutely it would. But those prepared to count on that happening someday have to be considered dreamers. And dont tell me that this is a great football town because everyone supports their own NFL team which adds up to a massive collective fandom. Thats true, but its also completely soulless and adds absolutely nothing to the fabric of this city because there is no rallying point, no common thread. Thats what every other city has, except ours. Toronto is a wonderful place to live. A place with great music and theater, restaurants and nightlife and sports. Yes our home city has an awful lot going for it. But gawd, it sure aint a football town. ' ' '