Lewis Hamilton wins F1 race in Texas

Lewis Hamilton wanted to make Formula One’s return to the U.S. something special, for him and for racing.

The Briton did just that Sunday, using a thrilling pass of Sebastian Vettel at the end of a long straightaway to take the lead, then holding off the German for the final 14 laps to win the U.S. Grand Prix at Austin, Texas, the first Formula One race on American soil since 2007.

Hamilton won that race five years ago and made the move of the day to capture his fourth victory of the 2012 season.

Red Bull’s Vettel started on the pole on Sunday. The two-time defending world champion was a heavy favorite to win and perhaps even clinch his third consecutive world title.

Vettel finished second and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was third Sunday. Vettel now leads Alonso by 13 points heading into the final race of the season next week in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

ETC.

Choi triumphs in Titleholders

U.S. Women’s Open champion Na Yeon Choi won the Titleholders at Naples, Fla., to turn a great season into her best one yet.

Locked in a battle with So Yeon Ryu along the back nine, Choi pulled away with a wedge that had to hit a tiny spot on an elevated green with three tiers. It came off perfectly and spun to three feet for birdie, and Choi took it from there. She closed with two pars for a two-under 70 and a two-shot victory.

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Adam Scott shot a five-under 67 to win the Australian Masters in his native country for his first victory of the year.

Scott had five birdies on the front nine and another on No. 18 at Melbourne. He trailed Ian Poulter by one after three rounds.

Poulter shot a 72 and finished second, four strokes behind the winner.

Scott finished with a 72-hole total of 17-under 271.

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Henrik Stenson held on to his three-shot overnight lead to win the European Tour’s South African Open at Johannesburg and end a three-year wait for a tournament title.

The Swede finished with a one-under 71 for a 17-under total of 271.

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Miguel Angel Jimenez became the oldest European Tour winner by shooting a five-under 65 to capture his third Hong Kong Open title.

At 48 years 318 days, the Spaniard surpassed the previous record set by Ireland’s Des Smyth, who was 48 years 34 days when he won the 2001 Madeira Islands Open.

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Tommy Gainey made a three-foot birdie on the 18th hole, shooting a three-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Kirk Triplett and William McGirt at the Pebble Beach Invitational.

Gainey finished at 11-under 277.

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The University of Maryland’s decision to stay in the Atlantic Coast Conference or join the Big Ten comes down to tradition versus money.

The Board of Regents is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss joining the Big Ten. If Maryland approves the move and applies for admission, Rutgers is expected to follow suit and leave the Big East. That would leave the Big Ten with 14 schools.

An announcement on Maryland’s final decision is expected this week, maybe as soon as Monday.