Billy Mayfair, the only player to beat Tiger Woods in a play-off on the US PGA Tour, won’t have to worry about the world No. 1 today.
While Woods sensationally missed the cut at the Quail Hollow Championship, Mayfair opened a two-stroke lead after the third round on Saturday.
Solid rather than spectacular, he carded a one-under-par 71 to give himself a chance of becoming the first Monday qualifier to win on the PGA Tour since 1986.
He posted a nine-under 207 total, with fellow Americans Phil Mickelson (71) and Davis Love (68) equal second on seven-under.
Mayfair, who lost his exempt status when he finished 157th on last year’s money list, won a Monday qualifier at a nearby course, earning one of just four spots awarded into the tournament.
“I shot 65 on Monday and made some putts. When you start doing that, it gives you some confidence and I just tried to keep that confidence going,” he said.
“It was the hardest day of the three so far,” he said. “The greens were a little bit bumpier and firmer and it was very difficult to get the ball close to the hole.”
“I kept the ball in play except for one bad drive [at No. 7] and hit a lot of good shot into the greens and kept the ball below the hole as much as I could. I’m making the putts I need to keep the momentum going,” Mayfair said.
Mayfair, 43, has won five times on tour, most recently in 1998. It has been a long drought.
“Today was a big day for me,” he said. “To go out and there and have the lead and still have the lead going into the fourth round will give me a lot of confidence and make me sleep a little bit better tonight. If I play well I’ve got a great chance of winning.”
“I don’t think you ever lose that winning feeling, even though it’s been a long time,” Mayfair said. “I’m trying not to think about it obviously. I’ve still got a lot of golf left with a lot of great players behind me but obviously you put yourself in this position and you want to take advantage of it.”
Masters champion Mickelson remained in touch despite a mediocre round.
“I didn’t have it today,” he said. “I didn’t have great control over my ball-striking and missed a number of putts that I probably could have made, but I controlled the misses, kept the round in check and because of the difficult conditions was able to shoot a number that kept me in contention.”
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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