Golf: Brash Sabbatini takes 1-shot lead at Barclays

The playoffs arrived on the PGA Tour and delivered an ideal first-round leader in Rory Sabbatini, a brash South African who loves the idea of going head to head and is not afraid to speak highly of his chances no matter who’s in his way.

Too bad Tiger Woods wasn’t around Thursday at The Barclays in Harrison, N.Y.

Sabbatini, whose best year in golf has been highlight by barbs and challenges directed at the world’s No. 1 player, attacked a soft Westchester Country Club on his way to an 8-under-par 63 for a one-shot lead over Rich Beem and K.J. Choi.

The Barclays is the first of four tournaments that comprise the PGA Tour Playoffs, a new concept to golf aimed at rewarding those who play their best golf at the end of the year.

About the only thing that resembled real playoffs was that some of the top players brought their top games.

Sabbatini, a winner at Colonial, came into these playoffs at No. 13 in the world and No. 6 in the playoff standings.

Choi is No. 5 in the playoff points, courtesy of his victories at Muirfield Village and Congressional.

U.S. Amateur Championship

Derek Fathauer made quick work of both of his opponents in match play and is two wins from a berth in the finals of the U.S. Amateur Championship at the Olympic Club in Daly City, Calif.

The Louisville senior defeated USA Walker Cup team member Chris Kirk 7 and 6 in the second round, then dominated stroke medalist Jason Kokrak 6 and 4 in the afternoon to advance to today’s quarterfinals.

LPGA

Michelle Wie will play this weekend in the Safeway Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland.

Wie, who has struggled with a left wrist injury this season, is playing on a sponsor’s exemption. The field also includes top-ranked Lorena Ochoa.

Pat Hurst is the defending champion on the par-72, 6,377-yard course.

Champions Tour

Thanks to a schedule swap with The Tradition, a Champions Tour major, the third year of the Boeing Classic features its strongest field when play begins today at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge in Snoqualmie, Wash. Sixteen of the top 20 and 24 of the top 30 on the Champions Tour money list are playing this week.