Lee Westwood conjured the shot of the day with a hole-in-one on a 225-yard par-three to jump into contention at the halfway stage of the CIMB Classic in Malaysia yesterday.
The Englishman’s seven-under 65 brought the former world No. 1 to within just three shots of leader Billy Hurley III.
Westwood was one of seven players tied for third at seven-under, including Spanish star Sergio Garcia and defending champion Ryan Moore.
Westwood, who had shot a level-par 72 in the first round, pulled a rescue club for the 11th hole at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
He promptly knocked the tee shot in and with five birdies he shot the lowest day-two score in the field.
“That was obviously the highlight of the round, the great shot at 11,” said Westwood, 41, who won on the same course in the Malaysian Open in April. “You need a bit of luck, but at the same time you got to hit it well and straight, so it happens now and again. I am pleased with my finish and 65 has got me right into the tournament.”
The unheralded Hurley carded his second straight round of 67 to take the lead at 10-under, with fellow American Kevin Streelman two strokes back in sole second place.
World No. 196 Hurley, who served in the US Navy for five years, said he had to maintain his focus as there were “still 36 of holes of golf left.”
“You know, a two-shot lead is better than a one-shot lead, but it’s not quite as good as a four-shot lead. You always want to have more,” Hurley said. “If I can keep hitting it in the fairway and keep putting like I have, then I think I’ll be right there on Sunday.”
Garcia, who is looking to maintain a solid run of form this year that has him ranked fourth in the world, managed a 68 to lie at seven-under, level with Westwood.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to