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Notebook Ryder Cup competition brings out best in some
Updated: Friday August 17, 2001 12:20 AM
DULUTH, Ga. (AP) -- The race for the final spots on the U.S. Ryder Cup team began to heat up Thursday at the PGA Championship. Tom Lehman headed into the final points event in the 10th and final position, leading Chris DiMarco by nine points. But Lehman shot a 2-over-par 72 and was in danger of missing the cut and falling off the roster. The top 10 points leaders will make the team and head to England at the end of September for the international competition against the Europeans. Captain Curtis Strange also gets two at-large picks. Several of those in contention for those spots had good opening rounds, including Brad Faxon (13th) and David Toms (14th), who both had a 66. "It's hard to keep it out of your mind," Faxon said. "But we still have to realize this is a major championship." Joe Durant, in 12th place, also helped his cause with a 68, as did DiMarco. "The one thing that [Strange] did say to me is that he didn't think he would go beyond the 15th position for his picks," Toms said. "He said that would be stretching it."
Bcak-nine bitesThere were several casualties on the difficult back nine, including Tiger Woods.Woods had a 38 en route to a 73, while Padraig Harrington had a 41 and shot a 75. Notah Begay had a 41 and was at 78 and Steve Elkington had a 40 for 77. Niclas Fasth of Sweden was among the leaders at 66, but started on the back and had a 36 with bogeys on Nos. 16 and 18 after making a birdie on No. 10. "The course is playing tough and it's a long course. I was really happy coming back in 30," he said. Australia's Stuart Appleby said the final four holes are intimidating. "They all add up," Appleby said. "But at least on TV at home on your couch those holes are going to have an impact." The par-3 15th is the hardest hole on the course, averaging 3.400, while the par-4 18th is the second hardest, averaging 4.347.
Monty's slip of the tongueColin Montgomerie said he didn't do too well in his practice rounds leading up to the first round of the PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.Montgomerie, often a target of American fans during international competition, then made an off-the-cuff remark about the 25 PGA club professionals who earn their way into this event. "I should have picked some of your PGA pros or something -- with all respect to the PGA pros -- I can usually beat them," he said. "So, I picked the wrong guys." Well, Montgomerie had to eat his words Thursday when he shot a 1-over 71 and was beaten by three club pros.
Hurting HochScott Hoch is back after a three-week layoff, seeking the first major championship in his successful 22-year career.But Hoch is hurting. He shot a 2-under 68 to get off to a good start in his 21st PGA Championship despite a nagging hand injury that has hampered his warm-up routine. Hoch said he has exhausted all avenues to find out what's causing his pain. His latest bone scan two weeks ago came back inconclusive. "I took three weeks off and didn't even touch a club and expected my hand to be in good shape but it was worse," Hoch said. "I'm back to square one now. I just have to play through it." Hoch could have been among the leaders, but he had two putts lip out. "This could have really been something," he said. "I'm pleased because I haven't played for a month and this course is a little too long for me." Hoch hopes his hand injury won't hinder his performance in the upcoming Ryder Cup matches.
Appleby's anguishIt has been three years, but every time Stuart Appleby is near the lead of a tournament he's asked about the death of his wife, Renay.She died in a freak car accident, and it has taken Appleby some time to get his golfing game -- and social life -- in order. He confirmed Thursday after his opening-round 66 that he was finally dating again. "You've got to take your time," he said. "You do what you think is right. You only get one chance at doing something right. "I guess I try not to live in the past too much and try to stay positive and optimistic," he added. "But there are a lot of hurdles to jump." Appleby made his emotional golfing comeback at the PGA Championship three years ago, but he doesn't place any significance on the event. "That event was so much more than a golf tournament to me," he said. "It's hard to believe three years have gone by."
Finally, some fun for FaldoIf Nick Faldo would have shot a 67 a decade ago in a major championship, reporters would have been flocking around and watching his every move.But this is 2001 and, at 44, Faldo is just another golfer in the PGA Championship field. That's OK with him. "Ten years ago I was genuinely competing to win," Faldo said. "I'm older now and this is just an opportunity to go out and play well and enjoy it -- just see what happens. "I can just have a free run at it," Faldo added. "Otherwise, I get too twitched up."
Home cooking for DunlapScott Dunlap usually frets early tees times, but he made his at 7:55 a.m. with ease Thursday morning.It helps that Dunlap's home is just one minute from the Atlanta Athletic Club. "Three-quarters of a mile," Dunlap said when asked where he was staying this week. "It's nice for a 7:55 tee time to set the alarm for 6 and not 5." Dunlap's family and friends have asked for more than 25 tickets a day, giving him his own little rooting section. "About everybody I know," said Dunlap, who shot an opening-round 69. Dunlap has played here a half-dozen times prior to this week, but he doesn't believe that gives him any advantage over other golfers. "It's not a local knowledge kind of course," he said. "It's all right there in front of you. There is nothing tricky about it. It's just hard and good." DIVOTS: Padraig Harrington of Ireland carded a birdie on No. 10, but two holes later got a 9 on the par-5 12th. ... The 83rd PGA Championship broke a record with 95 of the world's top 100 players in the field. The old mark was set two years ago at Medinah Country Club, where 92 of the world's top players participated.
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