Curious Chinese catch Tiger fever
Tiger Woods is working his charm in a new market.
Woods, playing his first official stroke-play event in China, shot a 5-under-par 67 Saturday and enters the final round of the HSBC Champions tournament at Shanghai one stroke behind David Howell of England.
Woods is tied for second at 15-under 201 with Nick O’Hern, who had a 67 for the third consecutive round. Howell, who shared the lead with Australia’s Nick Dougherty after the second round, missed a birdie putt on the last hole and settled for a 68.
More than 1,000 people tracked Woods’ group around the Sheshan International Golf Club course, with the crowd at least doubling at some holes. The new $5 million tournament is the richest in Asia, and Woods wants to leave his imprint.
“Considering this is the biggest golfing event they’ve ever had, I think it would be very special to have your name associated with that,” Woods said.
Woods has taken time this weekend to educate fans and photographers. Golf in China was nearly nonexistent 20 years ago, but the country hosted six European tour events in 2005. With the sudden rise has come confusion about golf etiquette – such as ringing cell phones and taking photos on backswings.
Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant shot a 68 and was at 204, one in front of U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell, Thomas Bjorn and Dougherty. Vijay Singh, ranked No. 2 in the world, had a 70 and was six strokes back.
Woods, meanwhile, took the opportunity to tell media members that he prefers the Presidents Cup to the Ryder Cup, insisting there is better camaraderie and more sportsmanship.
Europe has beaten the United States in seven of the last 10 Ryder Cups, with the 2006 matches set for Sept. 22-24 in Ireland. The Presidents Cup pits the United States against an international team of players from outside Europe.
When asked if the Presidents Cup is more fun, Woods said, “Without a doubt.”
“We’re all good friends and you see more concessions and more sportsmanship – more good sportsmanship,” he said. “And the way it’s supposed to be played rather than the Ryder Cup – how it used to be played and how it is starting to get back to.”
LPGA
Liselotte Neumann made a 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Mitchell Company LPGA Tournament of Champions at Mobile, Ala.
With the closing birdie, Neumann broke out of a four-way tie and moved into the lead at 11-under 205 on the Magnolia Grove Golf Club’s Crossings Course.
Defending champion Heather Daly-Donofrio had a 68 and joined Australia’s Rachel Hetherington (72) and U.S. Solheim Cup star Christina Kim (72) at 10-under 206.
Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot her second consecutive 74 for a three-round 219.
PGA
Fred Couples and Adam Scott used six straight birdies in the best-ball format to shoot an 11-under 61 for a two-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout at Naples, Fla.
The 46-year-old Couples and Scott, 25, birdied Nos. 5-10 to reach 15 under, parred the next three, and then birdied four of the last five to finish at 19 under at Tiburon Golf Club.
Kenny Perry and John Huston teamed up for a 63 and moved to 17 under, a stroke ahead of first-round leaders Fred Funk and Jason Gore, who followed an opening 63 with a 65.