Harris English, an American in only his second season on the US PGA Tour, matched his low round of the year with a six-under-par 64 on Friday to seize a two-stroke lead at the St Jude Classic. English, whose other 64 came in the first round at last month’s Byron Nelson Championship, stood on 10-under 130 for 36 holes with compatriot Shawn Stefani second on 132 after a firing a second-round 65.
“I’m still getting comfortable out here, just trying to get in the hunt of a golf tournament every time,” English said.
English, seeking his first PGA triumph, opened with three birdies in a row and holed out from 175 yards in the fairway for an eagle at the par-4 fifth.
“I was playing a little short of it because that green goes front to back pretty good,” English said. “It landed about 10, 12 feet short and kicked right and rolled right in.”
The 23-year-old former University of Georgia standout with three top-10 finishes this season, added birdie putts at 15, from 15 feet, and 16, from nine feet, before closing with his lone bogey.
“When I get in that kind of situation, everything is pretty much going my way and I’m very much in control of my ball,” English said.
Stefani had a bogey-free round with back-to-back birdies at the par-5 third and par-3 fourth as well as the par-3 eighth and par-4 ninth and a final birdie at the par-5 16th.
Americans Scott Stallings and Paul Haley shared third on 135, five strokes off the lead. Davis Love was in an all-American group on 136 that also included Glen Day, Justin Hicks, Nicholas Thompson and Doug LaBelle.
Defending champion Dustin Johnson, in his first event since a back injury forced him out of the Players Championship last month, hit a 70 to stand in a pack on 137.
Phil Mickelson, a five-time US Open runner-up who is set to try again to finally claim the long-sought crown next week at Merion, fired a 67 to stand in a group on 138, much happier than after his opening-round 71.
“I let a number of shots slide [on Thursday],” Mickelson said. “I made a couple of dumb mistakes and I think that’s why I enjoy the competing element before a big event like the US Open next week.
“And I’m not selling myself out this week. I feel like if I play better than I did today, I’ve got a low round in me,” he said.
LYONESS OPEN
AP, ATZENBRUGG, Austria
Joost Luiten of the Netherlands shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead into the third round of the Lyoness Open.
Luiten holed three birdies on both the front and back nine, offset by two bogeys, to sit at 11-under 133. He is one shot in front of Paul Waring of England (67), Callum Macaulay of Scotland (66) and Eduardo de la Riva of Spain (69).
“I played well, I hit the ball well,” Luiten said, adding that he was not fully satisfied with his game. “I didn’t make as many long putts as yesterday.”
Luiten trailed Tom Lewis by two strokes overnight but the Englishman made five bogeys in shooting a 74.
Hennie Otto of South Africa hit a 65 to climb to fifth place, three shots off the pace, and was later joined by Romain Wattel of France who had a 68.
Defending champion Bernd Wiesberger, at 61st the highest-ranked player in the field, carded a 71 and dropped to 17th at five under.
“The first 11 holes I played pretty well,” the Austrian said, who likely needs a top-10 finish to qualify for next week’s US Open.
Wiesberger added a double bogey on the par-3 15th but improved his score with two birdies on the final three holes.
Former winners Markus Brier of Austria (2006), Richard Green of Australia (2007) and Jose Manuel Lara of Spain (2010) all missed the cut.
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