Japan's Akio Sadakata and Paul Stankoswki shot eight-under-par 64s for a share of the first-round lead at the New Orleans Classic on Thursday.
Eight players are a shot back of the co-leaders, including defending champion K.J. Choi of Korea, three-time winner this year Davis Love III, and former PGA champions Jeff Sluman and Scott Verplank.
A dozen more players are at six-under 66.
"I don't know what happened, I'm just going to go out there and play my game," Sadakata said of his strategy for the next three rounds after shooting his lowest score on the tour by three strokes.
The Japanese player blitzed the English Turn course by going out in seven-under 29, including an eagle at the par-four ninth that complemented five birdies.
"I birdied the first few holes, then really felt comfortable," said Sadakata who birdied three of the first four holes.
Successive birdies at the 12th and 13th holes got him to nine-under before a double-bogey six at the par-four 16th.
"I wasn't very frustrated," said Sadakata of the double bogey.
"I just wanted to birdie the next two holes."
He had to settle for a birdie at the par-three 17th that put him in unfamiliar territory on the leaderboard.
Sadakata earned his PGA Tour card with a fifth-place finish at the Tour Qualifying Tournament.
This year he has made nine starts, but just three cuts and finished no higher than tied for 53rd at the BellSouth Classic.
Stankowski is no rookie on the PGA Tour, but he has also struggled this season.
His only top-20 finish was a tie for seventh at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Stankowski, 33, who has not won since 1997, believes his woes are more mental than actually fundamental.
"I realized recently that there are times during the week that my mind is not strong, my mental game is probably not where it needs to be, but I'm working on it and I've worked really hard," he said.
He was even-par for his round through the fourth hole and then birdied holes five through seven for an outward 33.
Stankowski played a flawless back nine with birdies at the 12th and 13th holes and then on holes 15 through 17.
"I think I've got my swing dialed in where I want it typically. But I look at last week and I shot one-over on Saturday, even for the weekend; I was three-over in the last three holes," he said.
"I look back and I made a lot of mistakes at the end of my round, specifically on Sunday, and it's something that I'm trying to break now," he said.
"There is a history of mental breakdowns there that we have addressed and we're working on," he said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and