Tiger Woods fired an impressive nine-under 63 on Friday, leaping into contention at the Buick Open a day after what he called one of the worst putting performances of his career.
Woods stood in a share of fifth place on 10-under 134 after 36 holes, four adrift of Australian second-round leader John Senden, who fired a bogey-free 66 after an opening round of 64.
Senden hoped to take advantage of strong scoring conditions after his 64 left him one off the lead through 18 holes.
PHOTO: AFP/ASIAN TOUR
“When I woke up this morning, I was really wanting to shoot a low one,” Senden said.
■WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN
AFP, ROYAL LYTHAM, ENGLAND
Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, who escaped a French hotel blaze last week, hit back-to-back eagles to share the lead at the halfway stage of the Women’s British Open on Friday.
Matthew carded a second round 67 to top the leaderboard with Giulia Sergas, the California-based Italian who also shot five-under in the breezy conditions to join the Scotswoman on three-under 141 for the tournament. They led the final major of the women’s season by a stroke from Yuko Mitsuka, who has had a brace of 71s on her first visit to Britain.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng was three shots off the leaders after shooting 70. Teresa Lu carded a 76 to be seven-over and compatriot Amy Hung shot a 73 after her disastrous first-round 83 to finish on 12-over.
■BRUNEI OPEN
AFP, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thai Boonchu Ruangkit rolled back the years to take the third round lead at the Brunei Open yesterday.
The 53-year-old carded a 64 for a three-day total of 13-under 200 to take a one-shot lead over Jay Bayron of the Philippines, who posted a 67.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar took a share of third place with Australia’s Scott Barr and South Korea’s Ted Oh on 202.
A further shot back was Taiwan’s Lu Chien-soon after a 67, while compatriot Sung Mao-chang shot a 66 to be three shots further back on 206.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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