South African Ernie Els hit a six-under-par 65 to trail halfway leader Mohammad Siddikur of Bangladesh by one shot at the Venetian Macau Open yesterday.
The “Big Easy,” a four-time major champion, struck nine birdies against three bogeys for a two-day total of six-under-par 136.
Siddikur struck 66 in his round which included three birdies over his closing four holes, a running total of 135, in his bid to win a second Asian Tour tournament.
Els said that he was disappointed to miss a two-foot birdie chance at the last hole which would have resulted in a tie with Siddikur for the lead.
“The one little putt I missed at the last will sting a little bit. I was looking at the board and it would have been perfect if I could have been seven under to be in the last group, but it’s fine,” he said.
“I played really nice. I actually made some good putts and hit the ball nicely,” Els said.
The South African was in a group of four players tied for second which comprised Els, Baek Seuk-hyun of South Korea, Elmer Salvador of the Philippines and New Zealander Ben Campbell.
Jay Bayron of the Philippines, Scott Barr of Australia and Japan’s Daisuke Kataoka were a shot behind them.
Siddikur, 28, the first Bangladeshi player to win on the Asian Tour in 2010, is confident about his form going into the next round.
“I finished third here last year and I had good thoughts coming back. I’m hitting it good. I’m in good shape,” he said.
He is also eyeing a dream showdown with Els.
“Ernie [Els] is my idol. I’ve been waiting for a long time to play with him. Last few years, I’ve missed by a few groups playing with him so hopefully this week,” he said.
Veteran Taiwanese Lu Wen-teh was one of a number of players tied for 15th on two-under, while compatriots Hung Chien-yao and Lu Wei-chih were a shot further back.
Another Taiwanese, Tsai Chi-huang, was one shot further adrift.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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
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
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