Tiger Woods fired his lowest round in nearly two years to answer a career-low course record by defending champion Anthony Kim and produce a sizzling start to the PGA National on Thursday.
Kim, inspired to play golf by fist-pumping idol Woods, fired an eight-under par 62 at rain-softened Congressional Country Club for a two-stroke lead on fellow Americans Woods, D.A. Points and Bryce Molder.
Tournament host Woods sank seven birdies, his longest a 48-footer at the second hole, in 27 putts on the way to his 64, the 14-time major champion’s best round since the 2007 PGA Tour Championship some 22 months ago.
PHOTO: AP
■OWENS CORNING CLASSIC
AFP, SYLVANIA, OHIO
South Korea’s Kim Song-hee shot a seven-under 64 to seize a share of the lead after the opening round of the LPGA Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.
Americans Laura Diaz and Morgan Pressel also shot 64s on the Highland Meadows Golf Club on Thursday.
Taiwan’s Candie Kung and Yani Tseng were in a group at 68, while compatriot Amy Hung followed in a group at 71.
■FRENCH OPEN
AFP, VERSAILLES, FRANCE
Rising German star Martin Kaymer set a blistering pace in the first round of the 4 million-euro (US$5.6 million) French Open at Le Golf National on Thursday.
The 24-year-old Kaymer from Dusseldorf was The European PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2007. He chipped in for an eagle at the par-five third and added eight birdies en route to a 62, equaling the course record set by Argentina’s Eduardo Romero in 2005.
It was one of the finest rounds on the European PGA Tour this year and put him three strokes clear of a quintet comprising John Bickerton of England, Rafa Echenique of Argentina, Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Scott Strange of Australia and Peter Hanson of Sweden.
Taiwanese gymnast Tang Chia-hung on Sunday topped the men’s horizontal bar event at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, scoring 15.233 to take his third title this season. Tang delivered an outstanding performance in the final, earning a difficulty score of 6.500 and an execution score of 8.633 with a 0.1 stick bonus. His closest competitor was Milad Karimi of Kazakhstan, who finished second with 14.933 points. It was Tang’s third gold medal in the FIG World Cup series this year, following his horizontal bar wins in Azerbaijan on March 8, and in Turkey on March
The Daredevils yesterday took eight catches in the final as they eked out a victory in the Taiwan Cricket Triangular Tournament against PCCT at Yingfeng Cricket Ground in Taipei’s Songshan District. PCCT’s batting lineup collapsed after they asked the Daredevils to bowl in the T20 decider of the weekend tournament that also involved the Formosa Cricket Club. PCCT were bundled out for 76 in 16.2 overs against a disciplined Daredevils attack. Ninad Malwade was the top scorer in the innings with 21, but he was among those who offered chances to the fielders. Shane Ferreira and Jason Cameron took three wickets each, with
This year’s Taiwan Athletics Open, which offers Taiwanese athletes an opportunity to compete against their international peers, would be held under a new name after its organizers had earlier announced the event’s cancelation. In a statement issued yesterday, the Chinese Taipei Athletics Association said the competition would still take place on June 6-7 at Banciao Stadium, but under the name “New Taipei City Athletics Open 2026.” The event was given a new name to emphasize its local identity and conform with the international practice of naming World Athletics Tour events after cities, the association said. It said it would soon
Taiwanese shortstop Cheng Tsung-che on Friday made history for the Boston Red Sox’s Triple A affiliate, hitting the Worcester Red Sox’s first cycle, while netting two runs, as they beat fellow Taiwan teammate Stuart Fairchild’s Columbus Clippers. The 24-year-old former Pittsburgh Pirates prospect went 4-4, completing a full cycle, starting with a triple in the second inning off Ryan Webb in the WooSox’s 9-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians’ Triple A affiliate. He scored in the same inning after teammate Vinny Capra, a fellow former Pirate, grounded out. The Pingtung County native followed that up with a walk in the third, an
RSS