South Korea's K.J. Choi had six birdies en route to a six-under 65 to seize the lead after the first round of the US$6.2 million PGA Northern Trust Open on Thursday.
"This course, I've always had trouble putting and my irons shots have always been a problem," Choi said. "I felt like they were working today, and I think even the weather was pretty pleasant when I played, so it worked out good."
Choi needed just 27 putts in his bogey free round at the Riviera Country Club course located in the stately Los Angeles suburb of Pacific Palisades.
American Kevin Na is one stroke behind and Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor are two back.
Play was suspended for the day with 17 golfers still on the course. They were due to complete their opening round early yesterday.
Choi has struggled with both his putter and his irons in the past at Riviera Country Club, but had no problems with either in the first round.
He was tied for fourth in greens in regulation on the day and nearly holed out an eight-iron on the seventh hole from 152 yards.
Choi and Na had the benefit of having early tee times.
"I did get off to a bit of a slow start," Na said.
Na made par on his first nine holes, but then countered with five birdies on his next nine holes.
"I made the turn and then I started hitting them close," Na said. "The putts started falling and I took it low on the front nine."
Campbell and Taylor took advantage of their earlier starting times, though Campbell is a fan of Riviera no matter what the conditions.
Afternoon winds picked up and made course conditions tougher.
"It actually kind of completely turned around on us," Taylor said of the wind direction. "You know, it actually made the last few holes easier, so kind of caught a break there."
Others weren't quite as fortunate with the wind.
David Duval had an afternoon tee time and was six-over through six holes. He withdrew after his third consecutive bogey.
Two-time winner Mike Weir shot a two-over 73.
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