Ben Martin fired a course record 10-under-par 62 to take a two-stroke lead in the opening round of the US$6.8 million Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Thursday.
Martin made light of gusting afternoon winds to reel off 10 birdies, capped off by a chip-in from 55 feet at the 17th hole at the TPC Louisiana.
He leads by two shots from fellow American Andrew Svoboda and holds a three-shot edge over Swede Peter Hanson and South Korean Noh Seung-yul.
“Awesome way to start,” Martin told the PGA Tour’s Web site.
Martin’s score could have been even better as he failed to get up-and-down from a greenside bunker at the par-five 18th and had to settle for a closing par.
However, he had no complaints after carding his best score on Tour by three strokes.
“The ball was going where I was looking and it seemed like the putts were falling in just like I was seeing them,” Martin said.
His score is the lowest on the Tour since Australian Adam Scott also carded a 62 in the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Florida last month.
Martin’s hot round was not exactly a bolt from the blue, but rather a continuation of the fine form he displayed at the Heritage in his home state of South Carolina last week.
He was in the hunt deep into the final round there until he made a mess of the 15th hole and eventually finished equal third.
The 26-year-old is in his second season on the PGA Tour. After struggling in his rookie campaign in 2012, he was relegated to the secondary circuit last year, where he won twice to earn another crack at the big time.
While Martin is trying to prove himself at the highest level, Swede Hanson is seeking to regain the form that saw him ranked 19th in the world at the end of 2012, before a back injury that sidelined him for two months last year.
“I know all about what Tiger’s going through,” said Hanson, referring to Tiger Woods, who last month underwent back surgery and is not expected to return to competition until the summer.
“I’m trying to play a little more relaxed. I managed to make a few putts going out and then had a bit of a jackpot coming in with a two on a really tough hole,” he said.
Hanson eagled the par-four sixth, where he holed a six-iron from 183 yards.
Former world No. 1 David Duval also had a good day, posting 68 in just his fourth start of the year.
The Open champion in 2001, who is not fully exempt on Tour, has had trouble securing invitations to play this year.
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