Gay wins PGA Tour event by 10 strokes

Brian Gay shot a seven-under-par 64 Sunday to win the PGA Tour’s Verizon Heritage Open at Hilton Head Island, S.C., by an astounding 10 shots. He broke the tournament’s 13-year-old scoring record, finishing at 20-under 264 on the way to his second PGA Tour title.

“Just another unbelievable day,” Gay said.

Gay had the tour’s largest margin of victory since Phil Mickelson won the 2006 BellSouth Classic by 13 strokes.

Gay bested Loren Roberts’ mark of 19 under in winning the 1996 Verizon Heritage. Gay’s 10-shot edge over Luke Donald (66) and Briny Baird (68) broke the record of Davis Love III, who won by seven strokes in 1998.

Besides a $1.026-million first prize, Gay earned a spot in next year’s Masters. It will be his first time at Augusta National.

Nick Price won the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am at Lutz, Fla., for his first Champions Tour victory, overcoming three double bogeys in an up-and-down final-round 71.

After a par putt on the 18th hole, Price finished with a two-shot victory over Larry Nelson to end a 0-for-38 streak on the Champions Tour.

The 52-year-old Price overcame the double bogeys with seven birdies to shoot even par and finish at nine-under 204. Nelson finished with a 70 on the TPC Tampa Bay.

TENNIS

Nadal wins at Monte Carlo

Rafael Nadal became the first player to win five straight Monte Carlo Masters titles by beating Novak Djokovic, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, at Monte Carlo.

The top-ranked Spaniard, however, lost a set at the clay-court tournament for the first time since the 2006 final against Roger Federer.

“Fifth title here in Monte Carlo. I never expect something like this,” said Nadal, who won his third title this season. “Always really important for me to start the clay season like this.”

Sabine Lisicki beat Caroline Wozniacki, 6-2, 6-4, to win the Family Circle Cup at Charleston, S.C.

The 19-year-old Lisicki is ranked No. 63 and bounced Venus Williams earlier in the tournament.

ETC.

Beckett is now out five games

Josh Beckett’s suspension was reduced from six games to five, allowing the Boston Red Sox ace to take his next turn in the rotation.

Beckett threw a pitch near the head of the Angels’ Bobby Abreu on April 12, leading to the emptying of both dugouts and bullpens. The right-hander was suspended on Tuesday and immediately appealed the ruling.

Trainer Jeff Mullins was suspended for seven days and fined $2,500 by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for giving one of his horses medication before a race at Aqueduct.

Mullins violated New York racing rules by administering an over-the-counter medication to Gato Go Win while the horse was in a security barn before the Bay Shore Stakes on April 4. The horse was scratched by New York Racing Assn. stewards.

The suspension begins May 3, the day after the Mullins-trained I Want Revenge runs in the Kentucky Derby.

Everton reached an FA Cup soccer final against Chelsea by beating Manchester United, 4-2, in a penalty shootout after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Wembley Stadium in London.

Everton will return to face Chelsea on May 30.

PASSINGS

Heisman winner Blanchard, 84

Felix “Doc” Blanchard, the 1945 Heisman Trophy winner and Army’s “Mr. Inside” in one of college football’s most famous backfields, has died of pneumonia in Bulverde, Texas. He was 84.

The bruising Blanchard and Glenn “Mr. Outside” Davis helped Army win national titles in 1944 and 1945. Blanchard was the first junior to win the Heisman Trophy. Story, A17.

Earl Gustkey, a Times sportswriter for more than 30 years, has died of leukemia in Billings, Mont. He was 69. Story, A17.