Donald sets pace at stormy Sun City

 

December 5, 2013 10:41 AM

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Luke Donald of Britain tees off on the 15th hole during the first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions golf …

SUN CITY, South Africa (Reuters) - Former world number one Luke Donald made a blistering start to the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Thursday but the first round was cut short by thunderstorms.

Five-under-par after 11 holes, England's Donald held a two-shot lead over Jamie Donaldson of Wales, Dane Thomas Bjorn and Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge at the Gary Player Country Club.

Play was halted just after midday because of the threat of lightning from a storm that arrived quickly over the course and forced the 30-man field off for just under three hours.

They returned for another hour's play before being warned off again by a dramatic blast of the siren and play was eventually suspended. The first round will be completed on Friday morning.

Donald birdied the opening hole and eagled the long second to race to three under par. Four straight pars kept the 35-year-old on three under when forced off the course but the long delay did not deter the leader who picked up further strokes at the eighth and ninth.

De Jonge moved into contention with an eagle at the ninth where he holed out with a wedge.

Donaldson was three under after 12 but Bjorn is still back on the sixth with the prospect of 30 holes to play on Friday in order to complete the first and second rounds.

Defending champion Martin Kaymer went to two under par as the elite field set off to compete for a prize fund of $6.5 million

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ed Osmond; mark.gleeson@thomsonreuters.com +27828257807 Messaging mark.gleeson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net; l)

Donald leads, lightning halts play in Sun City

By GERALD IMRAY (AP Sports Writer)December 5, 2013 10:46 AMAP - Sports

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FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2013, file photo, Henrik Stenson from Sweden celebrates after winning the DP World Golf Championship, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Stenson is now in South Africa to play in the Nedbank Golf Challenge starting Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

SUN CITY, South Africa (AP) -- Lightning halted the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge and Luke Donald's rapid start at the 30-man invitational on Thursday.

Donald opened with a birdie and an eagle on his first two holes and was 5 under after 11 when a second interruption for lightning caused players to come off the course for good.

The former top-ranked Englishman is two ahead of Jamie Donaldson and Thomas Bjorn. Donaldson played 12 holes, while Bjorn was 3 under with three birdies in six holes.

Playing for the first time since ending last season with the FedEx Cup and European money list titles, Henrik Stenson was 1 under after seven, with six straight pars after a birdie on No. 1.

Golf-Shot of the day must wait overnight to be recorded

 

December 5, 2013 11:39 AM

SUN CITY, South Africa, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Brendon de Jonge played the shot of the day at a storm-curtailed Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City on Thursday, but will have to wait until Friday for it to be acknowledged by the scorers.

The burly Zimbabwean hit a wedge from just over 100 metres out to record an eagle on the ninth at the Gary Player Country Club, lofting it perfectly past the pin and watching as sharp back spin carried it back into the cup.

It took him to three under after nine holes and just two off the leader Luke Donald but De Jonge's official overnight score was still pegged at one under after eight holes because his playing partners have yet to finish the ninth.

Play was called off before U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and American Ryan Moore completed the hole as a severe thunderstorm threatened lightning and officials swiftly order the players to leave the course.

The scores are not updated until the three-ball completes the hole, said a spokesman for South Africa's Sunshine Tour, which co-sanctions the 30-man elite event with the European Tour.

De Jonge will only be credited with his eagle once the hole is completed when the field returns at 7.30am on Friday morning to finish the first round. (Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ed Osmond; mark.gleeson@thomsonreuters.com +27828257807 Messaging mark.gleeson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net; l)

Shot of the day must wait overnight to be recorded

 

December 5, 2013 11:56 AM

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International team member Brendon de Jonge of Zimbabwe reacts after making his putt on the sixth hole …

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SUN CITY, South Africa (Reuters) - Brendon de Jonge played the shot of the day at a storm-curtailed Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City on Thursday, but will have to wait until Friday for it to be acknowledged by the scorers.

The burly Zimbabwean hit a wedge from just over 100 meters out to record an eagle on the ninth at the Gary Player Country Club, lofting it perfectly past the pin and watching as sharp back spin carried it back into the cup.

It took him to three under after nine holes and just two off the leader Luke Donald but De Jonge's official overnight score was still pegged at one under after eight holes because his playing partners have yet to finish the ninth.

Play was called off before U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and American Ryan Moore completed the hole as a severe thunderstorm threatened lightning and officials swiftly order the players to leave the course.

The scores are not updated until the three-ball completes the hole, said a spokesman for South Africa's Sunshine Tour, which co-sanctions the 30-man elite event with the European Tour.

De Jonge will only be credited with his eagle once the hole is completed when the field returns at 7.30am on Friday morning to finish the first round.

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ed Osmond; mark.gleeson@thomsonreuters.com +27828257807 Messaging mark.gleeson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net; l)

US golf star undeterred by Bangkok protests

 

December 5, 2013 12:38 PM

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This handout photo taken and received from OneAsia on November 9, 2013 shows Rickie Fowler of the US playing a shot during the third round of the Australian PGA Championship at the RACV Royal Pines Resort golf club on Australia’s Gold Coast (AFP Photo/Khalid Redza)

Bangkok (AFP) - American golf star Rickie Fowler Thursday said he was ready to play in protest-hit Thailand next week but admitted he might have second thoughts if something "crazy" happens.

Fowler, one of the headliners at the December 12-15 Thailand Golf Championship near Bangkok, was speaking after several days of violent demonstrations rocked the Thai capital.

"I haven't caught too much on TV. I've heard a little bit of the news. I'm not too worried about it. I'm excited to come see Bangkok," he told journalists on a conference call.

"I've heard a lot of good things, and I trust that everyone with the tournament and everyone organising the event will look after us quite well and we'll be just fine."

Asked whether he had considered pulling out, Fowler said: "No, there's nothing yet. I'm sure, you know, if anything crazy were to happen, I may have a couple questions. But I know all the guys from the US are excited to come."

Anti-government protesters have been fighting street battles with police as political violence returns to Bangkok, three years after dozens died in a crackdown on mass rallies.

Barbed wire and barricades have sprung up around the city after protesters clashed with police, who fired tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets.

However, the $1 million Thailand Golf Championship will be played at the Amata Spring Country Club, outside Bangkok and well away from the protests.

Fowler said he was confident that visiting players, who also include Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel and Bubba Watson, would not face any problems.

"I haven't heard about any of the (security) arrangements, anything that's changed," said the 24-year-old.

"But I know the tournament will be there to look after us and make sure we're good to go when we land and get us into Bangkok and settled into the hotel and get ready for the week."

He added: "Bubba is one of my best friends on tour. I know he's excited about coming back. He was there last year and had a great time."

No comment was available from tournament organisers following requests from AFP.