Rich Beem kept alive his improbable run at the Deutsche Bank Championship with birdies on his last four holes for a 5-under 66 on Saturday, leaving him in a three-way tie with Mike Weir and Aaron Baddeley.
One week after he narrowly avoided elimination from these PGA Tour Playoffs, Beem cannot finish lower than second if he wants to advance to the third tournament next week and a crowded leaderboard with 36 holes remaining includes Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, who each shot 64 to get within three of the lead.
But it was another impressive performance by Beem, who is slowly showing that even long shots are allowed to dream of a US$10 million prize for the winner of the FedEx Cup.
PHOTO: AP
"Of all the things I could be the poster child for, this is not the one that I would have picked," said Beem, who went from 134th to 113th in the standings with his tie for seventh last week at The Barclays. "It's kind of crazy how it's all coming together, but I sure am having fun. This is certainly interesting. I've just got to keep trying to make some putts, and who knows?"
Beem isn't the only player desperate for a good week.
Weir, the former Masters champion and recent captain's pick for the Presidents Cup, needs to finish in the top five to have any chance of moving into the top 70 in the playoff standings and advance to the BMW Championship.
The Canadian has gone three years without winning, which weighs more on him than the FedEx Cup.
"I just want to play well for myself," Weir said. "It's been a while since I've hoisted a trophy and more than anything, that's what I'm concerned about. That would get me into next week."
Weir built a two-shot lead in swirling wind, losing his grip on the lead over his last two holes. His tee shot on the eighth missed to the green to the right and led to bogey. His approach on the ninth went over the green and he took three putts to finish the hole. He still shot a 68 and had few complaints.
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
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
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