Australia’s Brett Rumford moved into contention for a fourth European Tour victory after grabbing a one-stroke lead in the second round of the Qatar Masters.
The 32-year-old birdied six of his opening 10 holes in calm conditions to card six-under-par 66, finishing with nine-under-par 135.
Britain’s Bradley Dredge fired a 69 to move into second on eight under. Fellow Britons Oliver Wilson (70) and Lee Westwood (69) shared third place on seven under, while Swedish duo Niclas Fasth (68) and Robert Karlsson (70) were tied fifth on six under.
Dredge, looking for his first Tour victory since 2006, added a three-under-par 69 to his earlier score of 67.
■FARMERS INSURANCE
AFP, LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA
DA Points fired a seven-under 65 on Torrey Pines’ tough South Course on Friday to join Japan’s Ryuji Imada atop the leaderboard after two rounds of the Farmers Insurance Open.
Imada also played the South Course, site of the 2008 US Open. He carded a 68 as he and Points topped the leaderboard at 11-under par 133.
Australia’s Michael Sim posted a 62 on the North Course and Matt Every shot a 70 to lie two back on 135.
Australia’s Robert Allenby was in a group of five players on 136, while world No. 2 Phil Mickelson headed a group of five players on 137.
■NEW ZEALAND OPEN
AP, QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND
American Robert Gates made four straight birdies on the back nine for a 4-under-par 68 that gave him a three-shot lead after yesterday’s third round of the New Zealand Open.
He had a 16-under 200 total in the event sanctioned by the US Nationwide and PGA Tour of Australasia.
Australia’s Andrew Dodt (70) was three shots back in second.
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
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