Steve Stricker lost a ball and a big lead at sun-baked Ridgewood Country Club, leaving Kevin Streelman atop the leaderboard and more than two dozen players in the Barclays title chase on Saturday.
After fading his drive into the rough on the par-4 12th, the American approach shot from a tough angle skipped along the far side of the left rough and into a tangled mess of shoulder-high grass, bushes and weeds.
Despite TV replays and a large search party, the ball couldn’t be located and Stricker — four strokes ahead after 10 holes — took a penalty stroke and trudged back to the spot where he hit the costly shot.
The winner last year at Westchester Country Club, Stricker advanced the new ball 40m short of the green, hit his fifth shot 30 feet past the hole and two-putted for a triple-bogey seven to drop to seven under — a stroke behind Sergio Garcia.
“I got off to a good start, then I made two stupid plays in a row on 11 and 12,” Stricker said.
“The one at 12 was one of the dumbest plays I ever made trying to do what I did out of the rough there. From that point on, it was a struggle to get in,” he said.
By the time Stricker signed for a six-over 77, he was four strokes back at four under in a 12-way tie for 11th.
On Friday, he shot a 7-under 64 in perfect morning conditions to take a three-stroke lead over Hunter Mahan in the FedEx Cup playoff opener.
Stricker was 12 under through six holes, then dropped a stroke on No. 7 to end a 23-hole stretch without a bogey.
He also bogeyed the 11th, made the triple on 12 and dropped three more strokes with bogeys on 14, 16 and 17.
“I just stunk it up,” Stricker said. “I’ve got to try to regroup.”
Streelman, a 29-year-old in his rookie season on the US PGA Tour, took the lead at eight under with a 25-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-4 16th and parred the final two holes for a 68 and an eight-under 205 total.
“It will be a fun day for me,” Streelman said. “I’m interested to see how I kind of react to it. That’s what I’ve been working for my whole life.”
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