Sports

Golf

Two share lead as rain delays Memorial again

By TIMES WIRES
Published June 3, 2006

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DUBLIN, Ohio - Carl Pettersson had five birdies and no bogeys for a 5-under 67 and a share of the lead at the Memorial. A six-hour rain delay prevented more than two-thirds of the field from finishing the second round.

"Twelve hours for 18 holes. That must be a world record," Ernie Els said after a 70 left him at even, eight behind but extending his streak of made cuts to 34.

After the delay, Pettersson, at 8-under 136, struck a 7-iron to 10 feet at No.6 for birdie.

Sean O'Hair birdied three of his first six holes and also was at 8 under when play was suspended.

It was the 10th time in the past seven years at the Memorial a round has not been completed because of weather. The day felt so long that David Howell, who opened with a 69, was walking along a muddy path near the clubhouse just before 8 p.m. when someone asked him how he fared.

"Actually," the Englishman said, "I've yet to play."

At least he showed up.

New Orleans winner Chris Couch, who opened with a 76, started the second round with a bogey and double bogey when play was suspended. He didn't return. Neither did Steve Lowery, who was 9 over.

John Daly opened with an 80. His tee time was adjusted to 6:30 p.m., but he was nowhere to be found when his group went off. It was the third consecutive tournament Daly was over par after the first round and withdrew.

Meanwhile, former U.S. Amateur champion Ryan Moore and Justin Rose were disqualified for walking off the course before the horn sounded. Moore was at 3 under and Rose 2 under, both inside the cut line.

BUNKERS ANGER GOLFERS:

Wooden rakes with 2 inches between the deep tines left high furrows in the bunkers at the Memorial, making them play like hazards.

"It's frustrating just to watch other guys try to get out of them," Steve Flesch said. "I haven't been in one, but I've just seen so many bad shots from guys who are in them. The guys that I'm playing with, they can't get it inside 30 feet. That's crazy."

Last week, tournament founder Jack Nicklaus asked the PGA if he could snap off every other tine on the rakes, which would leave deeper, wider lines in the bunkers instead of the smooth and flat surfaces pros are used to.

Jeff Maggert, who shot 73, said the decision was "Mickey Mouse." Nick Price shot 69 then vented.

"I don't like it at all," he said. "I don't think there's one player out here who does."

Tour officials said they would not change the bunkers for the tournament and plan to reserve judgment on the changes for other tournaments.

Sorenstam tied for lead

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Annika Sorenstam shot 7-under 64 for a share of the first-round lead at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Winless in her past six starts, Sorenstam made a 7-footer for eagle at No.9 then four birdies on the back nine to tie Michele Redman.

After the eagle, Sorenstam hit a sand wedge to 7 feet at No.10 and a pitching wedge to 8 feet at No.13 for birdies. Her best shot, a 30-footer came at No.15.

Sorenstam nearly picked up two strokes on the par-5 No.18. She recovered from a stray tee shot with a 105-yard approach that came within inches of the cup. It was the same hole where she made a 38-foot eagle to seal the 2005 Classic.

Redman, seeking her first win since 2000, had five consecutive birdies on the back nine. She made a 12-footer at the 407-yard No.2, two-putted from 40 feet at No.3 then made putts of 5, 3 and 12 feet.

MORE LPGA:

Gary Robinson, Jackie Gallagher-Smith's ex-caddie, dropped his lawsuit alleging she seduced him to get pregnant. He cited not having access to the boy he believes is his son, who was born to Gallagher-Smith and her husband in 2004. Florida law says a child born into a marriage is deemed to be a result of the marriage and a DNA test can't be forced, Robinson's attorney, Cathy Lively, said.

EUROPEAN PGA:

Robert Karlsson shot 6-under 63 to set a tour record for the best two rounds at the Wales Open in Newport. Karlsson, who shot 8-under 61 on Thursday, is the first to shoot 124 in the tour's 34-year history. He birdied five in a row on the front nine and leads by four over first-round leader Philip Archer (68), Simon Dyson (62) and Paul Broadhurst (64). Michael Campbell missed the cut in his last event before defending his U.S. Open title.

CHAMPIONS TOUR:

Scott Simpson shot 7-under 64, one off the tournament record, for the first-round lead at the Allianz Championship in West Des Moines, Iowa. Doug Tewell, Jim Thorpe, Bruce Lietzke and Mark McNulty shot 65. Simpson shot 29 on the front nine, getting birdies on six of the first nine holes.

[Last modified June 3, 2006, 01:29:10]

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