Perry leads after 2nd round of Travelers
June 27, 2009
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP)—David Toms finished up a second-round 65 to move within astroke of leader Kenny Perry as play resumed Saturday at the TravelersChampionship.
Toms was at 8-under Friday when the round was stopped because of severethunderstorms. He birdied two of the five holes he played Saturday morning.
Perry had finished his round when the rains came Friday, following up anopening round 61 with a 68 to go 11-under par.
Ben Curtis also made a strong move Saturday, finishing a second-round best64 to move into a tie for fifth place.
The tournament’s third round was scheduled to start before noon.
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Round 3: Travelers Championship (PGATOUR.com)
June 27, 2009
LOW SECOND ROUND? CURTIS (10:55 a.m.)—Ben Curtis was another player to finish his second round on Saturday, and he finished with a 32 on the back for a 64, the low round of the day. It is Curtis' lowest round on TOUR since his 64 at the 2007 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.
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Curtis, who was ninth in the FedExCup standings last year, hasn't scored a finish better than a tie for 22nd in 2009. He's battled driving problems all year—he ranks 157th in Total Driving this year after ranking 57th a year ago.
What a difference a week makes After a season of struggle, Ben Curtis has found his game at TPC River Highlands: Stat 2009 (before Travelers) Stat at Travelers Championship Driving Accuracy 62.59 percent 82.10 percent Greens in Regulation 63.36 percent 86.10 percent
THIRD-ROUND TEE TIMES ARE OUT (10:40 a.m.)—Pairings for the third round have been announced () with the field using split tees. Play will begin at 11:10 a.m. ET, with the final group teeing off at 1:20 p.m. ET.
NOW THAT'S A RALLY (10:39 a.m.) — Jason Bohn hit his tee shot on the 8th hole (his 17th after starting on the 10th hole) into the water on Friday, resulting in a double bogey, putting him at 1 under and two off the cut line when the tournament was suspended due to rain.
He came back on Saturday with one hole left to play and jarred his approach shot on No. 9 from 127 yards for eagle to make the cut on the number.—Mark Stevens
PERRY, TOMS, MOORE IN FINAL GROUP (10:36 a.m.)—David Toms was one of several dozen players who had to come back early Saturday to complete the second round, and the delay didn't hurt his game one bit.
Toms, who is bogey-free through two rounds, birdied his final hole—the 406-yard par-4 ninth—after sticking his approach shot to three feet. That birdie moved him to 10 under—one shot behind Kenny Perry—and into the final group on Saturday.
The combined age of Perry and Toms? 90. Perry, at 48, is gunning for his second victory of the year and fifth in the last 13 months.
Toms, 42, is winless since the 2006 Sony Open in Hawaii, but he's enjoyed a career resurgence in 2009, racking up six top-10 finishes. He sits 14th in FedExCup points after ranking 136th a year ago.
Perry and Toms will share the pairing with Ryan Moore, who was done with his second round mid-day Friday. Moore is winless on the PGA TOUR after battling nagging hand injuries over his first three seasons.
LIVE@ START DELAYED UNTIL NOON (10:35 a.m.)—Friday's rain delay necessitated adjustments to our LIVE@ schedule for Saturday. Coverage will begin around noon and will run until 6 p.m.
FIELD COMPLETES SECOND ROUND (10:30 a.m.) — The field is finally done with the rain-delayed second round, and the cut stayed at 3 under. The field will be re-paired and sent off split tees later today.
A total of 80 players made the cut at 3 under, the lowest cut of the 2009 season and the lowest since the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open (6 under. Since more than 78 players made the cut, there will be an additional reduction of the field to 70 players and ties following the third round.
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Golf Capsules
June 27, 2009
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP)—Kenny Perry followed up his opening 61 with a 68 onFriday and held on to a two-stroke lead when thunderstorms halted the secondround of the Travelers Championship.
Perry, who tied the course record Thursday, said he actually hit the ballbetter on Friday, but lost his touch with the putter. He had just three birdiesdespite hitting 16 greens.
He and the rest of the morning golfers played through off-and-on showersthat slowed already soft greens.
Ryan Moore shot a 65 to move into second place and said conditions allowedhim to go for the pin all day.
The sun came out for the afternoon, but severe weather moved in just before4:30 p.m. with 73 golfers still on the course. Play was officially called forthe day at 6 p.m.
Colt Knost, who was celebrating his 24th birthday Friday, and 26-year-oldAaron Watkins were in the clubhouse at 8-under. They were tied with Anthony Kim,Paul Goydos, David Toms and Spencer Levin, all of whom were playing their backnine when play was halted.
Champions Tour
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (AP)—Fred Funk is the leader in the clubhouse at therain-delayed Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.
Funk shot an 8-under 64 to gain a two-shot lead over Jay Haas and LonnieNielsen. It’s Funk’s best round on the Champions Tour since a 63 in the 2008season-opener in Hawaii.
Mike Hulbert also was at 6 under through 12 holes.
Tom Kite, D.A. Weibring, and Andy Bean completed their rounds and were tiedat 5 under.
Play was halted for nearly four hours by thunderstorms and the first roundwon’t be completed until Saturday morning.
LPGA Tour
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP)—South Korean star Jiyai Shin shot a 4-under 68 andfor a three-stroke lead at the storm-plagued Wegmans LPGA.
Play was interrupted by thunderstorms for nearly five hours, then called offfor the day at 8:37 p.m. Dozens of players will complete their second roundSaturday morning.
Shin, seeking her fifth tour win in 11 months, moved to 11-under 133, arecord low at the demanding Locust Hill course in suburban Rochester.
Morgan Pressel was at 8 under through 13 holes, one better than KristyMcPherson on the same hole. Michelle Wie also was at 7 under through 10 holes.
First-round leader Sandra Gal of Germany, blaming fatigue for a string ofwayward tee shots, shot a 1-over 73 to drop to 7 under.
European Tour
MUNICH (AP)—Retief Goosen of South Africa shot a 4-under 68 for a one-shotlead after the second round of the BMW International Open.
Goosen stood at 12-under 132 at the Golfclub Munchen Eichenried. SorenKjeldsen of Denmark trailed by one after a 65. John Daly shot 70 for a 144total, missing the cut by three strokes.
David Drysdale of Scotland had the lowest round of the day, finishing with a64. He’s tied for third with Nick Dougherty of England (65).
Dougherty had two eagle 3s within four holes. He hit the flagstick with his6-iron approach to the par-5 sixth hole.
Goosen’s biggest challenge was coping with the sandflies swarming around thecourse after three days of heavy rain earlier in the week. Goosen’s lime-greenshirt seemed to attract the flies.
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Stanford’s mother diagnosed with breast cancer
June 26, 2009
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)—The mother of LPGA Tour player Angela Stanford has beendiagnosed with breast cancer and soon will begin treatment with chemotherapy.
Stanford, No. 7 on the LPGA Tour money list and third in the Solheim Cupstandings, decided not to play in Rochester, N.Y., this week and is not surewhen she will return pending the recovery of her mother, Nan Stanford.
The U.S. Women’s Open is in two weeks at Saucon Valley near Philadelphia.
“My mom’s health and happiness are the most important things for me and myfamily,” Stanford said. “We’re doing everything we can to make sure of thatand help her recovery.”
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Golf-Perry stays two ahead at wet River Highlands (Reuters)
June 26, 2009
* Perry maintains control before play is suspended
* Moore fires a six-birdie 65
* Spanish world number four Garcia on the cut line (Updates at close of play)
NEW YORK, June 26 (Reuters) – American Kenny Perrymaintained his two-shot lead in Friday’s weather-hit secondround of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticutdespite struggling with the pace of the greens.
The PGA Tour veteran, two ahead overnight after opening witha sparkling 61, parred his last 10 holes at the TPC RiverHighlands to card a two-under 68.
That left Perry at 11-under 129, with compatriot Ryan Moorealone in second after a six-birdie 65.
Americans Colt Knost (66) and PGA Tour rookie Aaron Watkins(67) were a further stroke back at eight under while U.S. Openchampion Lucas Glover was at four under after following afirst-round 65 with a 71.
Play was suspended at 1626 local time (2026 GMT) withthunderstorms rolling into the area and no further action waspossible for the rest of the day.
Among those yet to complete the second round, U.S. Ryder Cupplayer Anthony Kim was at eight under with five holes remaining,level with compatriots Paul Goydos, David Toms and SpencerLevin.
Goydos and 2001 PGA Championship winner Toms also had fiveholes remaining while Levin had completed nine.
Perry, who flirted with a magical 59 before equalling thecourse record on Thursday, failed to increase his lead despitestriking the ball even better on Friday.
BALL CONTROL
“I hit a lot more quality, longer irons today,” the48-year-old told reporters. “It was fun out there. I had controlof the ball and hit it nice but just couldn’t get the speed (onthe greens).
“I hit 16 greens and didn’t miss a fairway but I had 32putts. I had 25 yesterday so that’s seven strokes. I’m in goodshape though and happy with the round.”
Perry, beaten in a three-way playoff at this year’s U.S.Masters, started at the 10th hole and mixed three birdies withhis first bogey of the week, at the par-four 14th, to reach theturn in two-under 33 before parring the last nine.
“I kept hitting it in there 15 feet from the hole,” saidPerry, who won his 13th PGA Tour title at the Phoenix Open inFebruary. “It’s a putt you think you should make but youprobably don’t make many of them.
“I just kept hitting that range all day. I had a couple ofclose ones and I think I made one putt over six feet today. Itwas just a frustrating day on the greens.”
Spanish world number four Sergio Garcia, the highest-rankedplayer in the field, was flirting with the cut after staying atthree under with five holes to play.
The cut was projected to fall at three-under 137 withBritain’s Justin Rose, Swede Daniel Chopra and defendingchampion Stewart Cink of the U.S. among those in danger ofmaking early exits.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles, editing byTony Jimenez and Alan Baldwin. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Singh offered to pay Stanford’s bond
June 26, 2009
HOUSTON (AP)—Vijay Singh has offered to help pay the $500,000 bond forfinancier Allen Stanford, but federal rules would not allow it because thethree-time major champion is not a U.S. citizen.
Stanford’s attorney indicated in court Thursday that Singh, who is fromFiji, offered to sign for a portion of the bail. Prosecutors are appealing thedecision to set bail for Stanford, who is accused of swindling investors out of$7 billion.
Stanford has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Singh did not stop to speak to the media after finishing his second round atthe Travelers Championship on Friday.
He has an endorsement deal with Stanford Financial reportedly worth $8million. Although no longer being paid, Singh has continued to wear the Stanfordlogo on his visor and shirt. He did not play in Memphis, Tenn., two weeks ago ina tournament previously sponsored by Stanford.
“Vijay’s opinion is that Stanford has yet to be proven guilty and untilthen has chose to act supportively,” said Dave Haggith, a spokesman at IMG, themanagement company that represents Singh.
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Golf-Goosen bugged but holds on to Munich lead (Reuters)
June 26, 2009
By Norman Dabell
MUNICH, June 26 (Reuters) – Retief Goosen was plagued byinsects during his second round of four-under 68 but they didnot bug him enough to stop the South African clinging on to aone-shot advantage in the BMW International Open on Friday.
First round front-runner Goosen moved to 12-under-par 132, astroke ahead of Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, who produced an eagleand five birdies during his second round 65 to nearly catch thetwo times U.S. Open champion.
Britons David Drysdale, who matched Goosen’s 64 of theprevious day and Nick Dougherty, who carded a 65, were on10-under.
Goosen could not repeat his fast start of the first roundand said he had a reason. “I got a bit carried away by bugs,” hetold reporters.
“I was wearing a green shirt and that’s not normally theirfavourite colour but it was this time. It was scary. The waythey were swarming I couldn’t see the ball. I put on myrainproof top to keep them off. They don’t seem to like blue somuch.”
Goosen’s first round 64 had hinged on taking only 26 puttswith a new putter, but he ran up 31 for his 68.
“I hit a lot of good putts that didn’t go in this time,”added the 40-year-old, who is searching for his 15th EuropeanTour title.
While Goosen has been through a quiet spell since his lastsuccess, the 2007 Qatar Masters, Kjeldsen won the AndalucianOpen three months ago and lies 10th on Europe’s money-list.
Bernhard Langer trying, at the 19th attempt, to claim theonly German title he has not won, is in a group four strokes offthe lead.
Langer, 51, finished second two years ago and he helped hiscause this time by chipping in from a bunker to save par on thepenultimate hole.
The German, seven times a winner on the Champions tour,played alongside 20-year-old Rory McIlroy (67), now 16th in theworld rankings after a 10th place finish in last week’s major,and is two shots better than the Northern Irishman.
Last year’s winner Martin Kaymer missed the cut.
(Editing by Alison Wildey
To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Eisenhower first US president put in Hall of Fame
June 26, 2009
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP)—Former president Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose passionfor golf helped to boost its popularity after World War II, was selected Fridayto be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
He will be the first U.S. president in the Hall of Fame when he is inductedposthumously Nov. 2 at the World Golf Village.
“One would be hard-pressed to find any single person who did more topopularize the game of golf, not only in the United States but throughout theworld, than President Eisenhower,” Arnold Palmer said. “His visibility,coupled with his passion for the game, were the inspiration for literallymillions of people picking up the game for the first time.
“Those involved in golf today owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
Eisenhower was a member of Augusta National and close friends with the lateClifford Roberts, who founded the home of the Masters along with amateur greatBobby Jones.
Even now, the former president’s influence is felt each April during theMasters.
The tee shot on the 17th is difficult because of the “Eisenhower Tree,” aloblolly pine that is 65 feet high, more than 100 years old and about 210 yardsoff the tee down the left side. It gave Ike fits during so many rounds.
Eisenhower finally campaigned to have the tree removed, proposing during anAugusta National governors’ meeting in 1956 that it be cut down. Robertsoverruled him and adjourned the meeting.
After his election in 1952, club members built a special cabin for him—TheEisenhower Cabin—complete with space for Secret Service agents on the bottomfloor.
He also has a pond named after him on the Par 3 Course called “Ike’sPond.” According to club history, Eisenhower was walking through the woods onthe east part of the property when he told Roberts he had found a perfect spotto build a dam for fishing.
Eisenhower made 45 trips to Augusta National—five before his election, 29while in office and 11 after his two terms as president.
According to “First Off The Tee,” a book on U.S. presidents who playedgolf, 3.2 million Americans played golf when Eisenhower took office in January1953, a number that had doubled when he left office.
“He was a role model not only in the United States, but throughout the freeworld, and his leadership during World War II brought hope when it was sorelyneeded,” said Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.“That such a man was devoted to golf did much to popularize and raise thestature of our sport.”
Eisenhower will be inducted along with two-time Masters champion Jose MariaOlazabal of Spain, former PGA champion Lanny Wadkins and Christy O’Connor ofIreland.
He joins a short list of Hall of Famers who never played competitively, suchas Bob Hope and Dinah Shore.
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Winners commit to US Bank Championship
June 26, 2009
MILWAUKEE (AP)—Four PGA Tour veterans are among the latest to commit to playin the U.S. Bank Championship in July.
Chris DiMarco, Brad Faxon, Fred Funk and Jesper Parnevik all said this weekthey’ll be at the tournament that begins July 16 at Brown Deer Golf Course inMilwaukee.
Faxon and Funk have each won eight tournaments in their careers, Parnevikhas won five times and Chris DiMarco has three titles on the PGA Tour.
The U.S. Bank Championship is in its 42nd year, but faces an uncertainfuture next year it is losing its title sponsor.
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Golf-Six German prospective venues named for 2018 Ryder Cup (Reuters)
June 26, 2009
MUNICH, June 26 (Reuters) – Six courses were named on Fridayas possible venues for the 2018 Ryder Cup if Germany wins theright to host the match.
The courses are: A-Rosa, Bad Saarow; Golfanlage, Winsen,Hamburg; Munchen-Valley, Munich; Gut Kaden, Hamburg; SchlossBeberbeck, Hofgeismar, Kassel and Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfond,Neuburg.
“They are the courses who will be involved in presentationson July 14/15,” Erwin Langer of the German Ryder Cup 2018committee, and brother of twice Masters champion Bernhard, tolda news conference during the BMW International Open.
France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden are alsobidding to stage the biennial match between Europe and theUnited States.
(Reporting by Norman Dabell; Editing by Clare Fallon; Toquery or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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