Spain’s Sergio Garcia fired an impressive six-under-par 64 to take the halfway lead at the BMW Championship on Friday, with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy only two off the pace after another 67.
Garcia holed out for an eagle from 126 yards, hit five birdies and a lone bogey to move to eight-under-par for the tournament, leaving him one clear of American Ryan Palmer in the Tour’s penultimate playoff event.
Palmer holds outright second at seven-under after matching Garcia’s 64, while McIlroy’s second successive 67 put him tied third with American Billy Horschel (66) at six-under.
Garcia, looking for his first win on the PGA Tour this term, started relatively slowly, with just one birdie in the opening six holes, before he kick-started his round by holing out from the fairway for eagle on the par-four seventh.
While he gave a shot back with bogey on the eighth, the world No. 4 produced four birdies on the back nine, and an impressive par save after finding water, to ensure he led going into the weekend.
Garcia won the Qatar Masters on the European Tour in January, but has been unable to close out a win despite several close calls.
He has eight top-10 finishes since February on the US tour, including three runner-ups and two thirds.
“It’s nice to be able to put yourself up there as often as possible, but we still have two days to go and I need to play better than I did the last two days,” Garcia said.
“I didn’t play badly, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like I was playing better at the British Open and at [WGC] Bridgestone, so hopefully I’ll be able to do that,” he said.
Palmer, who led for periods throughout the recent PGA Championship won by McIlroy, also holed out for an eagle on the seventh as part of his 64.
Palmer watched with joy as his 46-yard pitch from the rough found the putting surface and rolled on in into the cup.
While Garcia is almost through to the 30-man tour championship finale where the FedExCup and US$10 million bonus pool go on the line, Palmer needs a high finish in Colorado to earn a spot in Atlanta.
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