World No. 1 Jordan Spieth aced the par-three second hole, while England’s Paul Casey fired a six-under 66 to share the lead after round one of the Hero World Challenge.
Casey’s bogey-free round put him alongside Americans Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson atop the leaderboard at the 18-man event hosted by Tiger Woods.
Defending champion Spieth’s best shot of the day left him one stroke back on 67, alongside compatriots Bubba Watson, Bill Haas and Brooks Koepka, and Australian Adam Scott.
Photo: AFP
Spieth, the reigning US Open and Masters champion, used a six-iron from 172 yards for his hole-in-one and followed with a bogey-free round that included birdies at the seventh and back-to-back at the 14th and par-five 15th.
Casey, who suffered two playoff losses on the USPGA Tour this season, enjoyed his tour of the Albany resort, making birdies at the par-five third, sixth and 15th holes. He also opened and closed the back nine with birdies and added another at 13 to secure his playoff among the leaders.
It is the seventh appearance at the event for Casey, who shared third in 2010 and 2011, his most recent prior starts.
Walker closed the front nine with a bogey to stand at level-par, but made six birdies on a bogey-free back side to seize his share of the lead.
Johnson, the 2013 Challenge champion, birdied three of the four par-three holes — the fifth, eighth and 17th — as well as the 10th, 11th, 15th and 16th.
Scott birdied the par-three second, eagled the par-five third and then answered a bogey at the fourth with a birdie on the par-five sixth.
On the back nine, he took a bogey at 13, but responded with back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th, and closed with another birdie to stay on the leaders’ heels.
NEDBANK CHALLENGE
AP, SUN CITY, South Africa
South African golfer Jaco van Zyl birdied three of the last five holes to ensure some local representation at the top of the Nedbank Challenge leaderboard alongside Henrik Stenson in the first round at Sun City on Thursday.
Sweden’s Stenson shook off an illness that hampered his buildup to record five birdies by the turn, but was less prolific over the final nine holes and finished with a six-under 66 that was matched by Van Zyl.
England’s Danny Willett ended the day in third after shooting 67, while South African Branden Grace and Australia’s Mark Leishman were a further shot back in fourth.
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