Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY 29August2015

SPORTS A19
Saturday 29 August 2015

Watson takes 1-shot lead at Barclays as Spieth misses cut

DOUG FERGUSON ranking began in 1986 to Watson was at 7-under time would have led to something else crazy that

AP Golf Writer get to No. 1 without play- 133. a one-shot penalty. Wat- happened.” Spieth made

EDISON, N.J. (AP) — Jor- ing that week. British Open champion son said he rushed his next 10 bogeys and two double

dan Spieth lost out on a Watson is in good shape Zach Johnson made five shot from the fairway and bogeys over 36 holes. He

chance to play the week- through 36 holes to claim birdies to go with four par- came up 30 yards short of had one stretch on the

end at The Barclays. his own No. 1 ranking — a saving putts from outside 8 the green, leading to bo- front nine of four bogeys

He also lost his No. 1 rank- victory would move him to feet for a 65. He was one gey. in five holes. The excep-

ing. the top of the FedEx Cup. shot out of the lead, along Asked about his round, the tion was a birdie. But after

Bubba Watson, momen- Much like the world rank- with Henrik Stenson (66), first thing he brought up starting the back nine with

tarily distracted by a rare ing right now, that figures Tony Finau (69) and Jason was the bad time, which back-to-back birdies to

warning for taking too long to change by the week. Dufner (68). he thought was “hilarious.” get within two shots of the

to play a shot, recovered Ultimately, what matters to Watson typically struggles He spoke to the rules offi- cut line, his long approach

with a birdie on the 18th Watson, Spieth and others on courses with blind shots, cial after the round. on the par-5 12th found a

hole at Plainfield Country is winning the Tour Cham- and Plainfield has plenty of “I told them, ‘I’m not mad hazard of thick grass.

Club for a 2-under 68 Spieth said he told his

and a one-shot lead caddie he was go-

going into the week- ing to play the shot

end at the opening if he could see the

FedEx Cup playoff ball, and take a pen-

event. alty drop if he could

On an otherwise not see it. Instead,

sleepy afternoon at he stepped on it. He

a course where no thought because he

one could get some announced that he

separation, two might take a pen-

peculiar moments alty that stepping on

stood out — a bad the ball didn’t mat-

time for Watson, bad ter. Spieth, instead

golf from Spieth. of getting into a long

Trying to rally to make explanation with a

the cut, Spieth hit rules official on the

into a hazard on the next hole, waited

12th hole, and a bo- until after the round

gey later became a and accepted the

double bogey when additional one-shot

he was penalized penalty.

one shot for stepping Ultimately, it didn’t

on his ball during the matter. He still missed

search. He had a 73, the cut for the third

the first time since time this year. He has

the Tour Champion- a week before he

ship last year that tees it up next week

he had consecutive Jordan Spieth yells after hitting his drive on the fifth tee into the crowd during the second round of play at The in the TPC Boston,

rounds over par. Barclays golf tournament Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, in Edison, N.J. which has a Labor
Associated Press Day finish. And he
He missed the cut by

five shots. That means Rory pionship to capture the them. But he’s picking out at anybody about the sounded frustrated when

McIlroy, who isn’t playing $10 million bonus. targets, smashing his driver bad time.’ I went over the he said, “I’m definitely

this week, returns to No. 1. Halfway through this event, close to the green on the time, which is the right rul- searching for answers.”

“I’ve reached that peak no telling what else will shorter holes and getting ing,” he said. “It’s just on a Some players have a

already and I know it’s go- happen over the next two by just fine. hole like that, one of the month to search by miss-

ing to be close enough to days. The bad time came on No. toughest holes we’ve ever ing the cut, making it im-

where if I just get the job PGA Tour rookie Justin 16 with a difficult pin posi- played besides 2011 when possible to move into the

done next week, I’ll be Thomas had a few late bo- tion, made even tough- we played the same pin top 100 in the FedEx Cup

back in that ranking,” Spi- geys for a 69 and shrugged er by the fact Watson placement, it’s very dif- and advance to the top

eth said. “But again, that when asked if he was hap- watched Spieth’s shot roll ficult. “But yeah, I’m very 100. That group included

ranking, it’s great once you py with his score. He was back some 100 feet off the happy about my round,” Tim Clark and Graham

reach it but it’s not some- seven shots back. green. Watson took longer he said. “I’m excited where DeLaet. Adam Scott also

thing that I’m going to live “This is a course where if than 40 seconds — 1 min- I’m at. I made the cut missed the cut and is likely

or die on each week.” you make the cut, you utes, 2 seconds to be ex- and I’m in the last group. to fall out of the top 100 at

McIlroy becomes the 14th have a chance to win,” act — and was given the Hopefully, I’m here talking the end of the tournament

player since the world Thomas said. bad time. One more bad to y’all tomorrow about Sunday.q