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SPORTS Saturday 1 June 2019

Kaymer shows sign of resurgence, tied for lead at Memorial

By DOUG FERGUSON At least he’s still playing.
AP Golf Writer Phil Mickelson started with
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Two- a triple bogey and ended
time major champion Mar- the back nine with a dou-
tin Kaymer is tied for the ble bogey. He matched his
lead going into the week- worst score at Muirfield Vil-
end at the Memorial, and lage with a 79 and missed
whether he wins is not what the cut. It was even more
drives him. painful for Rory McIlroy,
He knows his game is close who was on the cut num-
enough that he can. ber (1-over 145) when his
Kaymer kept it simple Fri- wedge to the 15th came
day with birdies on all the up 5 feet short of where it
par 5s, a tee shot to 10 feet needed to land and rolled
on a dangerous right pin at off the green, down the
the par-3 12th and a bogey fairway and into a light cut
on his final hole at Muirfield of rough, leading to bogey.
Village for a 4-under 68 that He also missed a 4-foot par
gave him a share of the putt on the 17th, making his
lead with Troy Merritt (66) birdie on the 18th meaning-
and Kyoung-Hoon Lee (67). less.
They were at 9-under 135. Also leaving early was Jus-
Jordan Spieth had a 70 and tin Thomas in his first tour-
was another shot behind. nament since the Masters
Tiger Woods had a chance Troy Merritt tees off on the 18th hole during the second round of the Memorial golf tournament because of a bone bruise
to be a lot closer to the mix Friday, May 31, 2019, in Dublin, Ohio. in his right wrist. He was in
than seven shots except Associated Press good shape until hitting
for the par-5 15th. He was lief in myself that I can win long eagle putt, he was in were par 5s. He chipped into the water on both par
in the shaggy rough on a any week. ... The last two position for a low score and in for another birdie. He 3s on the back nine, and
hill above the green in two, years, I was just not there. had to settle for a 70. wound up with a 63 and when his hopes were gone,
and took five to get down I just didn’t believe that I “I probably shot the highest went from a weekend off catching a flier out of the
for a double bogey. Woods could win the tournament score I could have today,” to being within three shots first cut that went off the
had to settle for a 72. I’m playing.” Spieth said, though he im- of the lead. cart path behind the 18th
“I just wasn’t able to get He recently got off social mediately saw one upside. Woods watched the whole green and into the dining
anything really going,” media because he found His only bogey was on No. thing and was mostly stuck room. He left in style.
Woods said. no value except for gossip, 10 when he missed a 4-foot in neutral. For Kaymer, he can only
Kaymer is coming up on innuendo and otherwise putt. But that was only his “All of us were watching hope this 36-hole perfor-
the five-year anniversary of useless information. He was second bogey through 36 Rosie get things going on mance is an arrival.
his last win, and that wasn’t reminded of why that was holes. the front nine,” Woods said. “It’s very early to think that
just any victory. He demol- such a smart move when “I’d like to think I’d make as “I just wasn’t able to make way,” he said. “But you’re
ished the field at Pinehurst he stopped for coffee Tues- many or more birdies over anything happen today.” excited to be in position
No. 2 for an eight-shot vic- day morning and stood in the next two days,” he said. No shot did more damage again. You work quite hard
tory, this coming one month line between a half-dozen “For me, it’s about eliminat- than his 5-wood to the par- over the last few years,
after he beat the strongest people, all staring at their ing mistakes, and I’ve done 5 15th, where it sailed to and you want to feel that
and deepest field in golf at phones. a good job of that.” the left, the one place he excitement of playing one
The Players Championship. “It’s just distraction, stimula- Justin Rose made the big- couldn’t afford to miss. He of the last groups. And who
And then he was gone. tion for your brain, just not gest move of the way. was trying to bounce it one knows what happens by
“I distract myself,” Kaymer thinking, not being there,” He opened with a 75 and green and it took two tries Sunday afternoon, if I’m
said. “I listen too much to he said. dropped to 4 over with a to do that, and then he still up there or not. But I’m
other people, and also a Spieth appears to be get- bogey on the third round. three-putted from just over very pleased right now that
bit of belief. Sometimes, ting closer to ending nearly And then Rose strung to- 25 feet for a double bogey. I put myself in that position.
you would think I won so two years without a victory. gether six consecutive 3s on “I just need a round like ... knowing and proving to
many big tournaments I One day after he holed his card, especially impres- what Rosie played today,” myself that I have it in me
should have so much be- two chips and made a sive because two of them Woods said. right now.q