Liang sets record, Watney leads pack
Source: Agencies |
August 16, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
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LIANG Wenchong flew China's flag in sizzling style at the US PGA Championship on Saturday, rocketing into contention with a course-record 8-under par 64 in the weather-delayed third round.
Leading the way was Nick Watney, who fired off five birdies in the opening seven holes, leading the 29-year-old American to a 6-under 66 and a three-shot lead.
Right behind were 26-year-old American Dustin Johnson and 21-year-old Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland. Both had left their marks in the majors already this year, Johnson as the 54-hole leader in the US Open, McIlroy for tying a record with a 63 at St Andrews in the opening round of the British Open.
Of the top six on the leaderboard - five of those players in their 20s - none has won a major.
"There's some really good players that haven't won a major," Watney said. "And all the guys that have, at one point they hadn't won, either. So you've got to start somewhere. And hopefully, tomorrow will be my day."
Watney only struggled on the last, when he went from deep rough on the right to deep rough in the side of a hill left of the green. He did well to make a bogey and finish three long days at 13-under 203.
Eight birdies
Liang, who was China's first Asian Tour champion in 2007, recorded eight birdies on the tough Whistling Straits layout and saved par on his final hole, the ninth, by sinking a 20-footer. The 32-year-old from Guangdong Province broke into a broad smile and pumped his right fist in celebration as the putt dropped to give him a 9-under total of 207, four shots off the lead.
"This is very special, besides even the score, because this is a major," a beaming Liang told reporters, speaking through an interpreter. "It also makes people realize there are actually professional golfers in China, so this is a very special round."
Liang needed only 23 putts at Whistling Straits as he eclipsed the 65 shot by Britain's Darren Clarke, and later matched by Spaniard Miguel-Angel Jimenez, at the 2004 PGA Championship.
"After I made the cut yesterday, I felt much more relaxed today," said the Chinese, who clinched his first European Tour title at the co-sanctioned Singapore Masters in 2007.
"I teed off on the back nine and played well, so I started building the confidence. My driving, putting and everything was (working) very well so that made the whole round very good."
Liang raced to the turn in 5-under 31 and picked up three more shots on his back nine to end a marathon day in a four-way tie for fourth.
Leading the way was Nick Watney, who fired off five birdies in the opening seven holes, leading the 29-year-old American to a 6-under 66 and a three-shot lead.
Right behind were 26-year-old American Dustin Johnson and 21-year-old Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland. Both had left their marks in the majors already this year, Johnson as the 54-hole leader in the US Open, McIlroy for tying a record with a 63 at St Andrews in the opening round of the British Open.
Of the top six on the leaderboard - five of those players in their 20s - none has won a major.
"There's some really good players that haven't won a major," Watney said. "And all the guys that have, at one point they hadn't won, either. So you've got to start somewhere. And hopefully, tomorrow will be my day."
Watney only struggled on the last, when he went from deep rough on the right to deep rough in the side of a hill left of the green. He did well to make a bogey and finish three long days at 13-under 203.
Eight birdies
Liang, who was China's first Asian Tour champion in 2007, recorded eight birdies on the tough Whistling Straits layout and saved par on his final hole, the ninth, by sinking a 20-footer. The 32-year-old from Guangdong Province broke into a broad smile and pumped his right fist in celebration as the putt dropped to give him a 9-under total of 207, four shots off the lead.
"This is very special, besides even the score, because this is a major," a beaming Liang told reporters, speaking through an interpreter. "It also makes people realize there are actually professional golfers in China, so this is a very special round."
Liang needed only 23 putts at Whistling Straits as he eclipsed the 65 shot by Britain's Darren Clarke, and later matched by Spaniard Miguel-Angel Jimenez, at the 2004 PGA Championship.
"After I made the cut yesterday, I felt much more relaxed today," said the Chinese, who clinched his first European Tour title at the co-sanctioned Singapore Masters in 2007.
"I teed off on the back nine and played well, so I started building the confidence. My driving, putting and everything was (working) very well so that made the whole round very good."
Liang raced to the turn in 5-under 31 and picked up three more shots on his back nine to end a marathon day in a four-way tie for fourth.
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