Paula Creamer, Momeko Ueda and Young Kim shot 3-under 68s and shared the opening round lead of the Stanford International Pro-Am on Thursday, a windy day that turned into a test of endurance.
Only 21 of 111 pros broke par, on a Turnberry Isle course that was far from easy for the tour players — and downright diabolical for amateurs.
“I thought it was extremely tough,” said Annika Sorenstam, one shot behind. “It was way too tough.”
PHOTO: AFP
Sorenstam likened the course to a US Open setup, saying she felt badly for the amateurs, many of whom struggled mightily on a course far tougher than their norm. Taiwan’s Yani Tseng had a hamburger and two chocolate chip cookies after nine holes, because she couldn’t endure not eating for three more hours. One tee box had four groups waiting at once. And most rounds lasted nearly six hours.
“It does take a toll on you,” Creamer said. “I found myself a couple of times wandering out there and would have to start my routine over and focus. There’s a lot going on and that’s something you’re not necessarily used to. I’m pleased with how I managed it.”
With only two bogeys on her card, she should be.
“I’ll take 68 for three more days,” Creamer said.
Creamer, teaming with tennis star James Blake this week, hasn’t finished in the top 20 in any of her last three events, a mini-slump far from typical for the world’s No. 4-ranked woman. But four birdies in a six-hole stretch gave her a shot of momentum, and she ended her round almost expecting to be one shot off Christina Kim’s lead.
That is, until Kim visited the cart path, the water and the sand on the par-5 18th, en route to a triple bogey that sent her to 1 under.
“Maybe the mafia kind of used these greens to bury a couple of people or something, because every hole tends to have a couple of mounds in them,” Kim said.
Carolina Llano — the final alternate to get into the field — shot a 2-under 69 to be in the logjam one shot off the lead, along with Tseng, Sorenstam, Candie Kung, Kyeong Bae, Meena Lee and Cristie Kerr.
Kim, Juli Inkster and Mi Hyun Kim were part of another large pack that finished two shots off the triumvirate of leaders.
There’s two courses in use this week, the par-71 Soffer layout and the par-70 Miller track, with each team playing those courses once on Thursday and yesterday. For the third and fourth rounds, only the Soffer course will be used.
By then, the pace of play might be a bit more brisk.
Also by then, some of the tour’s bigger names might be home for the weekend.
Morgan Pressel and Natalie Gulbis shot 5-over 75s on the Miller course, meaning they’ll have work to do to make the cut. Laura Davies shot a 75 on the Soffer track. World No. 8 Jee Young Lee shot a 76. Brittany Lincicome slogged her way to an 80. And Nancy Lopez — making her first start of the year — shot a 91.
Maybe Lorena Ochoa — the winner each of the previous four weeks on tour — picked a good time to stay home.
■GOGGIN SHARES LEAD
AFP, DALLAS
Australia’s Mathew Goggin shot a three-under-par 67 to grab a share of the opening-round lead with Ryan Moore and Eric Axley at the USPGA Byron Nelson Championship on Thursday.
Australian world No. 10 Adam Scott, the highest-ranked player in the field, and Swede Jesper Parnevik were among a group of eight players one shot off the lead.
Masters champion Trevor Immelman, of South Africa, struggled to a 78 in extremely windy conditions.
“I prefer it to be windy than dead still and a putting competition, because statistically putting is not the strongest part of my game,” Goggin said.
The 33-year-old Aussie ranked second on the PGA Tour for total driving last year, which takes into account both distance and accuracy, and 11th in greens in regulation.
At even-par with five holes left, he reeled off three birdies in a row to finish in style on a course that has been extensively revamped.
Parnevik snapped out of a year-long slump after an unlikely swing tip from a buddy. Never mind that his friend cannot break 90, because Parnevik was desperate enough to try anything.
“He’s a complete hack monster but he called me last night and said he played the round of his life, and I asked him what he did and he said he found a secret,” Parnevik said. “It was really a stupid thing, the way he had his left big toe at impact. It should be pointed a little bit upwards. It worked very well today. We’ll see Sunday if it lasts more than one day.”
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
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