Monday, March 3, 2014

Tiger Woods a little sloppy on Day 2, slips to 71 at Bridgestone Invitational

darren clarke, tiger woods
Getty Images
Along with playing partner Darren Clarke, Tiger Woods watched his tee shot soar away from the 14th tee box on Friday.
0
By 
Doug Ferguson
Associated Press

Series: PGA Tour
Rickie Fowler had eight birdies and an eagle to give himself another shot at winning. Adam Scott did well enough to stay in the lead. PGA Tour rookie Keegan Bradley got in on the action late.
It seemed as if everyone was in contention Friday at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational -- except for the guy most everyone came to see.
On another soft day that was ripe for low scores, Tiger Woods missed a 2-foot putt and didn't make enough birdies to atone for his short-game mistakes during a 1-over 71 that left him in the middle of the pack.
He was only seven shots behind, but had 35 players in front of him at Firestone.
"Today was not very good," Woods said.
It was good enough for Scott, except for making the putts he holed in the opening round of this World Golf Championship. He had a 70, which is never bad at Firestone in any condition.
After opening with a 62, Scott was at 8-under 132 along with Ryan Moore (66), Fowler (64) and Bradley (65). Jason Day bogeyed his last hole for a 70 and was one shot behind with Martin Laird (67) and Robert Karlsson (65).
"The last time I shot 62 was probably a long time ago, so am I going to expect to do it two days in a row?" Scott said. "I don't think so. But it's a hard golf course, and if you're just a little off, you get quite severely penalized. There's no real secret that it's not easy to shoot a couple of 62s."
Fowler was all over the place. He made only five pars, and kept his gallery guessing the rest of the time. There were three straight birdies, and a wedge he holed from 110 yards for eagle on No. 3. He followed that with three bogeys and three pars.
"A lot of good things came out of today," said Fowler, who is still searching for his first win. "Building some confidence going into the weekend."
No one appeared to have more fun than Bradley, the nephew of LPGA Hall of Fame player Pat Bradley and a winner this year at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. With big crowds lingering even after Woods left the course, he could hear plenty of cheers for birdies all around him, and even some for himself as he worked his way to the top of the leaderboard.
"I had Luke Donald behind me, Phil Mickelson a few groups behind me," Bradley said. "I mean, it's something that I dream about since I was 2 years old. It's kind of happening in front of my eyes, which is a weird feeling to describe. But it's spectacular. I just can't express how much fun I'm having out there."
His biggest birdie came at No. 3, even though it was only a 12-foot putt.
Bradley played a money game with Mickelson on Wednesday, in which Mickelson serves as a mentor until the final holes when the four-time major champion cares only about getting into Bradley's pocket. Mickelson pointed to a hole location that can be tricky. The putt looks as if it should break right, but it actually moves left.
"And sure enough, I had this exact putt he brought me over to," Bradley said. "I wanted to make it so bad so I could go back and tell him later tonight."
Mickelson was among those who couldn't keep up with 31 guys who broke par in the second round.
He holed out from the 11th fairway for eagle, but followed that with a double bogey on the par-3 12th, and finished with a pair of bogeys for a 73 that put him at even par, eight shots behind.
Geoff Ogilvy had a tough time, as well. The former U.S. Open champion was two shots out of the lead and playing the easiest hole at Firestone, the par-5 second, when he four-putted from 35 feet for double bogey, and finished an annoying round with back-to-back bogeys that dropped him back to a 70 and put him at 2-under 138.
Lee Westwood, taking mental help from Bob Rotella and putting tips from Dave Stockton, was right in the thick of it until dropping four shots on the last six holes for a 71 that also put him at 138.
The starting times for Saturday were moved to the early morning because of storms anticipated in the afternoon. Saturday could go a long way in sorting out who has control of the final tournament before the PGA Championship next week in Atlanta.
Woods is not out of it yet, but his short game was of no help to him. The shocker was the 2-foot par putt he missed on the 14th, followed by another bogey on the 15th set up by an ordinary chip. His back nine was marred by a double bogey when his approach from the rough went just beyond the green and took a wicked hop into a suspect lie in the bunker.
He could have escaped with par except for a three-putt from 50 feet.
"I didn't putt as well as I did yesterday," he said, "and consequently, I just never got the round going."
For those ahead of him, it's off to the races.
Twenty players were separated by only four shots going into the final two rounds, a group that includes U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy, Steve Stricker, Nick Watney and Ryo Ishikawa of Japan, who was three shots behind.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

McGahee, Heap Eye Week 1


Posted Aug 19, 2008

By Mike Duffy



Injuries to Willis McGahee and Todd Heap may leave the Ravens without playmakers in preseason.


The third preseason contest is typically the game where starters see the majority of playing time, but as the Ravens enter their matchup with the St. Louis Rams this weekend, they will be without two of their top offensive playmakers.

Running back Willis McGahee and tight end Todd Heap will each be sidelined due to injuries.

And while a few reps in Baltimore’s preseason finale would be an ideal warmup for the former Pro Bowlers, both players are eyeing a return Sept. 7, when the Cincinnati Bengals come to M&T Bank Stadium.

Not having McGahee and Heap is causing the Ravens’ coaches to shift their thinking and continue to evaluate players that reside deeper on the depth chart.

“The third game is the game you play your guys together as a group for the most plays,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “But, there are going to be certain individuals that may need to play more in the fourth game because they don’t play the third game, or maybe not.

“We just have to deal with it case by case.”

McGahee, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week, assured reporters that he would be prepared for the regular-season opener.

“It’s always making progress. Every day I come out here and rehab, it’s just getting better,” said the freshly-mohawked running back, briefly stopping through the locker room in-between rehab sessions.

“I will be ready [for the regular season], but I don’t know about playing in the preseason. I think I should be [able to play in the preseason], but we have to wait and see.”

Heap is also taking a cautious approach to his strained calf muscle after missing 10 games last season with a lingering hamstring injury. The Ravens’ all-time leading receiver limped away from an Aug. 2 training camp practice with his right calf wrapped.

In Heap’s absence - along with Daniel Wilcox, only recently returned to practice after sitting out camp with a foot injury - the Ravens have employed multiple tight ends. Three-year veteran Adam Bergen has received the most reps, and he currently leads the team with seven receptions for 43 yards.

“I want to make sure it’s completely right,” noted Heap. “I definitely don’t want setbacks at this point. I want to be 100 percent healthy going into the first game.

“I’m still learning. I definitely learned some lessons last year trying to battle a hamstring. You have to let it heal before you get out there, so you have to be smart about it.”

At this point, Heap is considerably farther along than McGahee. Although he didn’t return to the field until Monday, Aug. 18, Heap is now taking reps with the offense.

McGahee, on the other hand, is limited to rehabbing in a pool under the watchful eyes of the Ravens’ medical staff.

“I do a lot of workouts in the pool,” McGahee explained. “It’s not running, running, running - but just running in the pool can be great conditioning.

“Go ask Michael Phelps!”

While the Miami native certainly won’t be challenging the Olympic gold medalist, McGahee hopes he can make up for physically falling behind by poring over offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s playbook, a hobby he’s had ample time for.

One of his biggest hurdles will be preparing his body for consistently taking live hits, which can only be replicated in practice.

“It’s hard [to simply watch his teammates], but the game is mostly mental,” he said. “You can bring anybody in here to just play football, but you have to know the mental part. I have that somewhat down pat, but there are certain things you have to pick up on the field.”

To the two injured stars, hurrying back for preseason action will do them no favors if it ends up costing part - or all - of the regular season.

McGahee would know. The former University of Miami All-American tore two ligaments in his left knee in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl and subsequently sat out his entire rookie season with the Buffalo Bills.

He went on to top 1,000 yards rushing in three of his next four campaigns.

“Compared to that, this rehab is nothing,” he said. “This is something you don’t want to rush back, because you might have to go under the ‘scope again.

“I just take it one day at a time.”

Monday, December 23, 2013

「今もっている力を出したい」藍、地元で久々国内V狙う




2011年03月02日16時33分






9ホールをラウンドしコースの状態を確かめた宮里藍(撮影:米山聡明)







ダイキンオーキッドレディス 事前情報>◇2日◇琉球ゴルフ倶楽部(6,439ヤード・パー72)

 国内女子ツアー開幕戦「ダイキンオーキッドレディス」が、今年も沖縄県にある琉球ゴルフ倶楽部を舞台に4日(金)に開幕を迎える。今大会には横峯さくら有村智恵らに加え宮里藍宮里美香上田桃子の米ツアー組も揃って参戦。華々しく開幕戦を盛り上げる。

地元・ホスト・開幕戦!諸見里しのぶ「いい緊張感にかえていきたい」

 タイ、シンガポールでの2試合を終え今大会のために地元沖縄に帰ってきた宮里藍は、肌寒いコンディションの中、この日はOUTコース9ホールを練習ラウンド。自身の調子とコースの状態を確かめた。

 昨年に続き地元での国内ツアー開幕戦への出場とあって大きな注目を集めるが「過度の期待をしないで、今もっている力を出したい」と気負いはない。それでも「(日本で)勝ちたいですね」と久々の母国Vには意欲をのぞかせていた。連覇のかかった米ツアー初戦、第2戦では出遅れが目立ったがどこまで修正してきているか注目だ。宮里は初日諸見里しのぶ、アマチュアの与那覇未来と同組で1番ティから10時27分にスタートする。

Thursday, November 28, 2013

遼はチャージならず、41位タイで終戦…



2012年05月20日19時25分
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リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 J・チョイ -16
2 藤本 佳則 -15
3 谷原 秀人 -14
4 K・バーンズ -13
5 S・K・ホ -12
6 武藤 俊憲 -10
H・W・リュー -10
近藤 共弘 -10
B・ジョーンズ -10
10 D・オー -9


順位の続きを見る





ショット、パットともに苦労した最終日だった(撮影:米山聡明)









とおとうみ浜松オープン 最終日◇20日◇グランディ浜名湖ゴルフクラブ(7,054ヤード・パー72)>

 国内男子ツアー第5戦「とおとうみ浜松オープン」の最終日。トータル6アンダー14位タイからスタートした石川遼は、4バーディ・4ボギー・1ダブルボギーの74ストロークでラウンド。スコアを2つ落としトータル4アンダー41位タイで競技を終えた。

「石川遼1打速報」で全ストロークを振り返る

 石川は4番でバーディを先行させると、6番でも約6メートルのバーディパットをねじ込みスコアを伸ばす。しかし、7番パー3で3パットのボギーを叩くと、チャンスホールの9番パー5でもスコアを落としてしまい後半へ。続く10番でもボギーとすると、12番パー3では、ティショットを池に落とし痛恨のダブルボギー。その後巻き返そうと、13番パー5のセカンドでは直ドラ、14番ではワンオンを狙うなど積極的な攻めをみせるがバーディを奪えない。難関の16番パー3でもスコアを落とし、最終18番をバーディで締めたものの、昨年のように最終日に猛チャージをかけることはできなかった。

 パットに加え「ショットも正直良くなかった。体が切れていない感じがした」と思うようにプレーできず遠征前最後の戦いを終えた石川。「来週からの良い課題がみつかった」好成績で米遠征に弾みをつけることはできなかったが、この悔しさを力に変え海の向こうでさらにレベルアップをして帰ってくることを誓った。

【最終結果】
優勝:J・チョイ(-16)
2位:藤本佳則(-15)
3位:谷原秀人(-14)
4位:カート・バーンズ(-13)
5位:S・K・ホ(-12)
6位T:武藤俊憲(-10)
6位T:リュー・ヒュヌ(-10)
6位T:近藤共弘(-10)
6位T:ブレンダン・ジョーンズ(-10)
10位T:池田勇太(-9)他6名

41位T:石川遼(-4)他7名

藤本佳則、悔しい1打差逆転負け「近々勝てると思う」




2012年05月20日19時40分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 J・チョイ -16
2 藤本 佳則 -15
3 谷原 秀人 -14
4 K・バーンズ -13
5 S・K・ホ -12
6 武藤 俊憲 -10
H・W・リュー -10
近藤 共弘 -10
B・ジョーンズ -10
10 D・オー -9


順位の続きを見る





先輩の谷原からホールアウト後にねぎらいの言葉をかけられる(撮影:米山聡明)








もっと写真を見る(7)




とおとうみ浜松オープン 最終日◇20日◇グランディ浜名湖ゴルフクラブ(7,054ヤード・パー72)>

 初日から首位を走っていたプロ参戦3試合目の藤本佳則は終盤に失速。この日65と猛追をみせ、トータル16アンダーでフィニッシュしたJ・チョイ(米国)に1打差で逆転負けを喫した。

藤本佳則のプロフィール

 藤本は17番でボギーを叩き、前の組のチョイと同スコアのトータル15アンダーで最終ホールへ。チョイが18番をバーディとしたため「最後はバーディをとらないと追いつけないのは知っていました」。だが、死力を尽くすもバーディを奪えないまま終戦。「最終日最終組でも楽しく回れました。すごく良い経験になりました」と悔しさをかみ殺し、言葉をひねり出した。「良いゴルフはできているので、近々勝てると思います」とコメントした藤本。この敗北を無駄にせず必ず次につなげ、今季の目標である初優勝をつかみとる。

 藤本と同組でラウンドした東北福祉大学の先輩・谷原秀人は「11番まではそんなに緊張していなかったようだけど。上がりのホールはもったいないね」と終盤崩れた後輩のプレーを振り返った。そして「まだ何回もチャンスはあるでしょ」と実力を認める藤本の今後の活躍を約束した。

 自身は3位タイで終戦。これで開幕から5戦連続でトップ10フィニッシュだが、「こんなのばっかりじゃしんどいね」と苦笑。好調は維持しているだけに早く約2年ぶりの勝利が欲しいところだ。

【最終結果】
優勝:J・チョイ(-16)
2位:藤本佳則(-15)
3位:谷原秀人(-14)
4位:カート・バーンズ(-13)
5位:S・K・ホ(-12)
6位T:武藤俊憲(-10)
6位T:リュー・ヒュヌ(-10)
6位T:近藤共弘(-10)
6位T:ブレンダン・ジョーンズ(-10)
10位T:池田勇太(-9)他6名

41位T:石川遼(-4)他7名

J・チョイが悲願のツアー初優勝「すごく楽しくプレーできた」




2012年05月20日20時10分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 J・チョイ -16
2 藤本 佳則 -15
3 谷原 秀人 -14
4 K・バーンズ -13
5 S・K・ホ -12
6 武藤 俊憲 -10
H・W・リュー -10
近藤 共弘 -10
B・ジョーンズ -10
10 D・オー -9


順位の続きを見る





優勝カップ代わりの凧を手に笑顔のJ・チョイ(撮影:米山聡明)











とおとうみ浜松オープン 最終日◇20日◇グランディ浜名湖ゴルフクラブ(7,054ヤード・パー72)>

 静岡県にあるグランディ浜名湖ゴルフクラブで開催された、国内男子ツアー第5戦「とおとうみ浜松オープン」の最終日。3位タイでスタートしたJ・チョイ(米国)が、4連続を含む7つのバーディを奪取。“65”の猛チャージをかけトータル16アンダーで逆転優勝。会見では「(日本語では)説明できないぐらい嬉しい」と喜びを爆発させた。

J・チョイのプロフィール

 「何打差でもいつも優勝を狙っている」。5打差をひっくり返し、これまでとは逆の風が吹くコンディションで圧巻のプレーをみせたチョイ。最終18番では残り55ヤードの3打目を、59度のウェッジで1メートルにつけバーディ。「狙ったとおり、良いショットで簡単にバーディをとれた」この1打で優勝を決めた。

 06年にプロ転向、その後ミニツアーを転戦し09年に日本のQTに挑戦。3位に入り10年から日本ツアー参戦しているチョイ。この勝利をつかむまで、2位が1回、3位が2回とあと一歩のところで優勝を逃してきただけに「何回もチャンスがあったから長く感じた」と万感の思いを込めてコメントした。

 チョイは明日、静岡県のレイク浜松カントリークラブで行われる「全米オープンゴルフ選手権セクショナルクオリファイング(最終予選)」に挑戦。08年以来となる全米出場へ向け大きく弾みをつけた。将来は「世界最高のプレーヤーが集まるPGAツアーに出場したい」という夢を持つチョイ。この勝利が夢に近づく大きな一歩になったはずだ。

【最終結果】
優勝:J・チョイ(-16)
2位:藤本佳則(-15)
3位:谷原秀人(-14)
4位:カート・バーンズ(-13)
5位:S・K・ホ(-12)
6位T:武藤俊憲(-10)
6位T:リュー・ヒュヌ(-10)
6位T:近藤共弘(-10)
6位T:ブレンダン・ジョーンズ(-10)
10位T:池田勇太(-9)他6名

41位T:石川遼(-4)他7名

国内男子賞金ランキング、J・チョイが6位に浮上!藤本佳則は11位




2012年05月21日11時19分






仲間たちから祝福されるJ・チョイ(撮影:米山聡明)






<国内男子賞金ランキング>

 最新の賞金ランキングが発表され、「とおとうみ浜松オープン」で、逆転のツアー初優勝を挙げたJ・チョイ(米国)が6位に浮上。惜しくも2位に終わった藤本佳則は11位となった。

【関連ニュース】J・チョイが悲願のツアー初優勝「すごく楽しくプレーできた」

 首位はブレンダン・ジョーンズ(オーストラリア)、2位にメジャー「日本プロゴルフ選手権日清カップヌードル杯」を制した谷口徹がつけている。石川遼は24位に後退した。

【国内男子賞金ランキング】
1位:ブレンダン・ジョーンズ (36,507,500円)
2位:谷口徹 (34,134,985円)
3位:藤田寛之 (28,119,857円)
4位:I・J・ジャン (27,508,161円)
5位:谷原秀人 (26,825,333円)
6位:J・チョイ (21,082,657円)
7位:小田龍一 (20,190,000円)
8位:イ・キョンフン (19,718,100円)
9位:深堀圭一郎 (16,303,333円)
10位:近藤共弘 (14,997,333円)
11位:藤本佳則 (14,290,000円)

15位:池田勇太 (11,100,690円)
24位:石川遼 (6,793,333円)