The story appears on

Page A15

April 18, 2015

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Sports » Golf

American Uihlein leads in windy Shenzhen

PETER Uihlein made five birdies in gusty conditions and shot a 4-under 68 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Shenzhen International in China.

The American started his round on the 10th hole and was 1 under on the back nine, where the strong wind made play more difficult. He then added three birdies on the front nine to finish at 9-under 135 total.

“It was tricky today. The wind was swirling quite a bit,” said Uihlein, whose only previous win on the European Tour came at the 2013 Madeira Islands Open. “I got the back nine out of the way pretty quickly. I played very solid. I felt like getting anything under par on the back nine was nice, and I played a pretty stress free front nine, which is always good.”

Kiradech Aphibarnrat matched Uihlein's five birdies, but added two bogeys to shoot a 69 and finish one shot behind.

“Again, the wind was getting up on a few holes before I finished, but the way I was striking the ball is still very good,” the Thai player said.

Emiliano Grillo matched the low round of the day with a 5-under 67 to move into a tie for third with Gregory Havret, Darren Fichardt and Matt Ford. They were three shots behind Uihlein at 6-under 138.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson shot a 2-over 74 to slip into a tie for 42nd. He made the cut, but was unimpressed by his form.

“It’s tough,” Watson said. “I haven't played very well. I haven't putted very well. But it’s a beautiful golf course.”

Watson was at 144 overall, nine shots behind Uihlein.

In South Carolina, Jordan Spieth, the Masters champion, had a post-Masters letdown in the opening round on Thursday, shooting 3-over 74 to end his run of 16 straight rounds under par.

He blamed it all on himself — and not the two-day celebratory media tour in New York this week.

“I didn't drive the ball well, didn't particularly strike my irons well. My chipping and putting weren't there,” he said. “It was just an off day.”

Spieth stands eight shots behind Graeme McDowell and Matt Every, tied for the top at 5-under 66.

Spieth was greeted by a large gallery on the first tee, crowds five and six deep stretching cellphones to snap pictures and get video footage. “Way to go, Jordan,” someone shouted after his tee shot.

The applause continued throughout the round and, while Spieth appreciated the sentiment, had difficulty concentrating on his game. “I was upset about missing the green and then there was a standing ovation walking up,” he said. “It's like, ‘Thank you. I just hit a terrible shot. Thanks.’ So it was kind of tough to find the balance there.”

It was clear, though, this would not be the Spieth who tied the Masters' scoring mark of 18-under 270 set by Tiger Woods in 1997.




 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend