Taiwan Golf and Country Club in Tamsui, Taipei County, proved as difficult a prospect as ever with only 18 players managing to break par during the first round of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday.
Udorn Duangdecha of Thailand made an eagle and five birdies on his way to a round of 65, leaving him on top of the leaerboard after the first day. Taiwan’s Chan Yih-shin (詹益信) was in second place after shooting 67, while Lu Chien-soon (盧建順) and Tsai Chi-huang (蔡啟煌) were tied for fourth after rounds of 69.
Although conditions were overcast it did not rain and all the competitors successfully completed the full 18 holes. Those who teed off earlier made lower scores with Duangdecha making birdies at the fifth and sixth and then an eagle at the seventh after holing a six-foot putt. He then made another three birdies on the back nine to give him the day’s best score.
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
Defending champion, Lu Wen-teh (呂文德) of Taiwan bogeyed the fifteenth after he sliced his three iron and hit a tree. Lu later said that he should have been more conservative and have laid up with a four or five iron. Lu finished the day on 71, tied for tenth.
Despite being six strokes back, Lu said he would remain relaxed and focus on making steady progress over the next three days.
Chan said he just missed out on five birdie chances and that his score could have been much better. However, Chan said that he was still happy because it was the first time he had broken 70 at the event.
Tsai, who grew up playing at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club improved as his round progressed, making an eagle and five birdies after two initial bogeys.
Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang (林文堂) had a tough time gauging the speed of the greens and was tied for tenth after scoring a 71.
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Shohei Ohtani on Thursday delivered his first two-homer game of the season and had six RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers poured it on with five long balls in a 19-2 victory over the visiting Athletics. Max Muncy, Andy Pages and James Outman also hit home runs for the Dodgers, who left no doubt by taking a 13-2 lead following a seven-run third inning. Muncy and Kim Hye-seong each had three hits for Los Angeles. Dodgers right-hander Matt Sauer led off a bullpen game by allowing two runs in four innings. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1) finished with four scoreless innings after he
RSS