June 16, 2003

Nobody handed Jim Furyk his first major championship. He grabbed it and never let go, protecting his lead the way a lion protects his territory. Starting today's final round with a three-stroke lead, Furyk never gave his pursuers a reason to believe he would crack. He never led by fewer than three shots. He never lost his composure. And he never strayed from his methodical game plan at Olympia Fields Country Club, a course that gained some revenge today, allowing only six players to shoot in the 60's.

Gov George Pataki proposes legislation to overhaul New York State government, from tightening lobbying rules to transforming budget process, establishing legislative-ethics committee and naming commission to investigate judiciary; would extend 'lobbying' to include contract, purchasing and leasing decisions by state agencies and authorities (M)

Photo of Jim Furyk after winning US Open golf tournament

Article on 50th Venice Biennale, running through November 2, whose theme is how people look at art; oppressive heat and humidity seems to be having major impact on viewers; photos (M)

News analysis on efficacy of sweaty summer month of math, reading and writing for New York City public school students who did not master subjects in nine cooler months; photo; program has been hobbled by absenteeism and results for those who did show up in last three summers are decidedly mixed, with some students scoring lower than they did in spring (M)