Australian Marc Leishman on Thursday raced out of the blocks on his way to a two-stroke lead, but several big names were lined up within striking distance after the first round of the BMW Championship outside Chicago.
Leishman holed 10 birdies to match his career-low score on the PGA Tour, posting a nine-under-par 62 in ideal conditions at Conway Farms in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Compatriot Jason Day, the 2015 champion, was nursing a stiff back, but carded a 64 that was matched by Americans Charley Hoffman and Jamie Lovemark, while Jordan Spieth was among a group who shot 65s.
Spieth heads the FedEx Cup standings — and the race for the US$10 million bonus awarded to the overall season champion — with only next week’s Tour Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, remaining after this week.
Leishman is seventh in the standings after finishing third in the previous event in the tour’s playoff series and he continued his good form, honing in on the pins with precise approach shots to set up numerous birdie opportunities.
Only two of his birdies came from outside 12 feet.
“Confidence is high and hopefully I can just ride the wave,” Leishman told reporters. “I hit the ball really well, but probably more importantly putted really well, made the opportunities I gave myself.”
“When your putter is rolling well it takes pressure off the rest of your game. All you’re thinking about is making as many as possible and it was nice to make 10 today,” he added.
Leishman, a playoff loser at The Open Championship in 2015, has been consistent rather than spectacular during his decade-long PGA Tour career.
The 33-year-old has won twice in 222 starts, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, and is gearing up for his third Presidents Cup appearance on the International team in two weeks.
Seventy players are contesting this week’s event, with only 30 advancing to the season finale.
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