Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts and Andy Sullivan of England on Thursday shared the first-round lead at the Portugal Masters after early fog held up play at the par-71 Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on the Algarve coast.
Colsaerts, 32, was one of the early starters after a 55-minute delay and took advantage of a pair of eagles in a sparkling seven-under round of 64 to put the 2012 Ryder Cup winner firmly in contention.
Colsaerts, chasing a 10th professional victory, but only his third on the European circuit, had a putt for 59 in last year’s opening round before falling off the pace. His last victory on the European Tour was in 2012 when he defeated Northern Ireland’s 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell to lift the Volvo World Match Play Championship trophy.
Photo: AFP
Sullivan, 29, drained eight birdies and would have held the outright lead had he not two-putted from close range for bogey at 16 for the only blemish on an equally impressive scorecard.
“I had a bit of a scrappy start, but I grew in confidence as the day went on and played well down the stretch,” said Sullivan, who won the South African Open in January and the Joburg Open two months later.
Four players are locked on 65, and one shot back, including Belgian Thomas Pieters, who caused a sensation earlier this season by winning his first two tournaments at the D+D Real Czech Masters and the KLM Open.
Also one shot back is Scotland’s 40-year-old David Drysdale, who has never won a European title, and who had to make a 30-foot putt on the 18th green in Perth in October last year to maintain his playing card this year.
Spaniard Eduardo de la Riva and South African Thomas Aiken also both fired rounds of six-under.
Germany’s former US Open and PGA champion Martin Kaymer settled for a one-under 70, as did Irish two-time The Open Championship winner Padraig Harrington, who had an eagle at the par-five 17th in an erratic round that also included a triple-bogey seven at the par-four seventh hole.
Defending champion Alexander Levy has work to do if he is to retain the title he won last year after a one-over 73 that left him eight shots back.
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