Former President Bill Clinton talks with David Feherty on Golf Channel

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — There were no “Billigans” recorded when former President Bill Clinton recently sat down with former golf pro David Feherty to reflect on golfing and the nation’s highest office.titleist drivers

The former president opened up for the May 14 episode of Feherty’s Golf Channel show, “Feherty.” Clinton, during his time in the public eye, earned a reputation for taking free second-chance golf shots known as mulligans, or in his case “Billigans.” Feherty retired in 1997 with 10 professional golf wins.scotty cameron putter

“He’s kind of the Arnold Palmer of politicians,” said Feherty, who was admittedly more serious than normal for his interview with the former president. “He makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the room.”titleist irons

The conversation drifted back and forth between politics and golf.

Clinton told Feherty that dialogue is a sign of respect that should be shown when talking with foreign leaders.

“People used to tell me if you do this you’ll look weak. And once in a while we’d say we have to bomb this place- if we don’t do it today we’ll look weak.”r11 driver

Clinton said he always had the same answer: “I have one question? Can I kill them tomorrow? And if the answer was yes, then I’d say, `Then we’re not weak because if we kill them today I can’t bring them back tomorrow.’ I regret I didn’t do more of it.”rocketballz driver

Clinton reflected on the stresses that accompany the leader of the free world, but said the job was worth it.

“It’s a good thing we have a two term limit,” Clinton said. “I’d have made them vote me out or take me out in a pine box.”

The 42nd president shared his list of who his all-time list of ideal golf partners would be.

“I would like to play golf with Harry Vardon and Bobby Jones … and probably Byron Nelson,” Clinton said. “I’d like to see what it was about the way his body worked and his mind worked that allowed him to win all those tournaments in a row. “r11s driver

One topic Feherty didn’t touch on was scandals.

“I’m sure I’ll take some heat for that,” he said. “I just don’t care. I’m not interested.”

Tiger Woods answers 19 questions from fans in lieu of press conference

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TIGERWOODS.COM
Tiger Woods answered 19 questions from fans in a video released on his website.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The only questions Tiger Woods fielded before his next tournament came from his fans.

Instead of a news conference before this week’s Wells Fargo Championship, Woods answered 19 questions Monday in a 15-minute video posted on his website. The questions were submitted through Facebook and Twitter.titleist drivers

The timing of the decision was peculiar. Woods is coming off his worst performance ever at the Masters, a tie for 40th in which he finished 15 shots behind and was roundly criticized for kicking his 9-iron in disgust after a poor tee shot on the par-3 16th hole in the second round.rocketballz driver

Woods typically speaks to the media before every tournament. This time, he will not speak to reporters until his first round Thursday at Quail Hollow.

His agent, Mark Steinberg, did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press. He earlier told The Charlotte Observer that Woods’ trading the traditional media for social media was not in response to the criticism he received at the Masters.

“The media will continue to have access to him,” Steinberg said. “This isn’t anything more than a couple of times a year to interact with the fans. They deserve that. This isn’t intended to make a statement. This is intended to be more inclusive. This isn’t a statement whatsoever. Some in the media might interpret it that way, but that’s not the intent.”scotty cameron putter

Among the questions he took for the video:

- Do you have a good chance of winning?

- Have you ever made an albatross?

- What was the difference between Bay Hill (where he won) and the Masters?

Fans were told that he would answer questions about his next two tournaments – Quail Hollow and The Players Championship – although Woods took the question about how his performance changed from Bay Hill and Augusta. Another question was what he had been working on with swing coach Sean Foley since the Masters.r11s driver

“At the Masters, I was kind of struggling with my ball-striking a little bit,” he said. “Sean and I fixed it. It had to do with posture. My setup wasn’t quite right, as well as my takeaway. I just needed to do hundreds of reps. I’m getting dialed in.”titleist irons

Woods, the biggest star in golf with 72 tour wins and 14 majors, has operated under a different set of rules than most other players. In a deal made years ago with the PGA Tour, he only comes to the media center for his pre-tournament news conference when he is the defending champion or is at a tournament for the first time or one he has not played in a long time. Woods always goes to the media center before tournaments at the majors.

This is believed to be the first time he has ever skipped his media obligations before the tournament.

Woods said he was excited to get back to competition, having taken a full week off after the Masters. He said he has changed his swing over the years to alleviate stress on his left knee, which has been operated on four times.r11 driver

“Let’s end it at four,” he said. “Plus, I have two little ones to chase around.”

On other topics:

- He said he has made an albatross twice in his career, but not in competition. One was during a practice round at the Walker Cup in Wales in 1995, the other at Isleworth just two days after watching Mark O’Meara make a 2 on the par-5 seventh hole.

- His favorite trophy from the majors is the claret jug awarded the British Open champion.

- Of the next two tournaments, there were more questions about The Players Championship, especially the 70-foot birdie putt he made from the back of the island green on the par-3 17th in the third round of 2001, the only year he won at Sawgrass. Woods said he watched Fred Funk in the group ahead of him four-putt from about the same spot.

“I wasn’t trying to make it,” he said. “I was trying to get it close and not three-putt. I was trying not to lose a shot. I’ll take those accidents.”

As for the best putt he ever made on tour? Woods said it was par putt from just inside 4 feet on the final hole at the 1997 Masters, which he won by 12 shots with a record score of 270 for his first major.

“To set the record, all the history it meant at the time, to have my dad there at the back of the green,” he said. “By far it was the biggest.”

As for his chances of winning?

“I feel like I do, yes,” Woods said. “I feel like if I do the things that we’ve been working on, and get my posture and takeaway dialed in, then yes, I feel like I have a good chance. I’m going to a golf course I like in Charlotte. I’ve won there before. The very next week is a tournament that I’ve also won at. They’re two ball-striking events. You’ve got to hit the ball really well there at those two tournaments to give yourself a chance, and make a few putts at the same time. I’m looking forward to that.”

Louis Oosthuizen wins Malaysian Open

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AP
Louis Oosthuizen won the Malaysian Open by three shots

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Louis Oosthuizen won the Malaysian Open on Sunday, a week after losing a playoff to Bubba Watson in the Masters.titleist drivers

The South African completed a 3-under 69 in the rain-delayed third round, then closed with a 68 for a three-stroke victory over Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher.scotty cameron putter

“I was a little surprised to win here after that,” Oosthuizen said. “I thought I would be a lot more tired. My golf was a bit up and down in the morning at the end of the third round, but I settled down and played well later.”titleist irons

The 2010 British Open champion finished at 17-under 271 on Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West Course.rocketballz driver

Gallacher shot a 70. American David Lipsky also closed with a 70 to tie for third at 12 under with Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello and England’s Danny Willett. Cabrera-Bello and Willett shot 71.r11 driver

The tournament was sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.r11s driver

President Obama, Mitt Romney say Augusta National should admit women

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House spokesman said Thursday that President Barack Obama believes women should be admitted as members to the all-male Augusta National, home of the Masters golf tournament.

White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters that Obama’s “personal opinion is that women should be admitted” to the golf club. Carney said it was “up to the club to decide” but Obama told him he personally thinks women should be welcome.

“We’re kind of long past the time when women should be excluded from anything,” Carney said.titleist 910D3 Driver

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Obama’s likely challenger in the fall, said “of course” he would allow women in “if I could run Augusta.”

“Of course. I am not a member of Augusta. I don’t know if I would qualify. My golf game is not that good,” Romney told reporters as he chatted with supporters after a campaign stop in Pennsylvania. “If I could run Augusta, which isn’t likely to happen, of course I’d have women.”Ping G20

One of the club’s longtime sponsors, IBM, has a new female CEO, Virginia Rometty. The last four CEOs at IBM, all male, have been invited to be members.TaylorMade R11s Drivers

The chairman of Augusta National this week has said the club will decide for itself whom to allow into its ranks.

Arnold Palmer taken to hospital with high blood pressure

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DAVID CANNON / GETTY IMAGES
Palmer at his Wednesday press conference at Bay Hill.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Arnold Palmer was hospitalized Sunday afternoon because of high blood pressure from new medication, missing the trophy presentation at his tournament when Tiger Woods won for the first time in 30 months on the PGA Tour.

Palmer was being kept overnight as a precaution.

“Nobody is overly concerned about the prognosis,” said Alaistair Johnston, vice chairman at IMG and Palmer’s longtime business manager.

Johnston said Palmer had been advised to monitor his blood pressure throughout the day because of some issues with new medicine he was taking.

He said one last test about 15 minutes before the tournament showed an increase in blood pressure.

“It wasn’t anything to do with any ailments or any discomfort he felt,” Johnston said. “The blood pressure was at a level where the doctor involved suggested that he go immediately to get more intensive evaluation at the hospital.”

His absence was noticeable. One of the biggest thrills at the Arnold Palmer Invitational is to have The King standing behind the 18th green, waiting to congratulate the winner. Woods won for the seventh time, this time without being able to share a handshake and a hug with Palmer.taylormade drivers

“Get well soon, Arnie,” Woods wrote at the end of a tweet.

Graeme McDowell, who played in the last group with Woods and finished five shots behind, noticed immediately that Palmer in his pink shirt wasn’t at the 18th at Bay Hill.taylormade irons

“I was surprised to see him not around, and when we just heard the news on the side that he had been taken to the hospital, of course we were very upset and certainly praying that everything is going to be OK,” McDowell said. “That really puts a little bit of a damper on the spirits on 18th green when Tiger is going to pick up his trophy.”

Sam Saunders, Palmer’s grandson, tweeted, “For all concerned my granddad is doing fine and will be good to go tomorrow. Thank you for all of your nice comments and concern.”callaway drivers

Keegan Bradley takes his first crack at Ocean Course

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KOHJIRO KINNO/SI
Keegan Bradley won the 2011 PGA Championship in what was his first-career appearance in a major.

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Keegan Bradley had heard about the difficulty of The Ocean Course – and agreed with everything he’d been told after taking his first crack at the site where he’ll defend his PGA Championship title this summer.titleist 910d2

“It is brutal,” Bradley said Thursday.

He’s just the latest pro golfer to reach that conclusion after walking off Pete Dye’s treacherous layout hard against the Atlantic Ocean. Dye constructed the course for the 1991 Ryder Cup matches and the combination of the swirling winds, adjacent marshes and protected greens brought the games’ best players at the time to their knees.titleist 910D3

“I didn’t think it was that hard today,” quipped Dye, the 86-year-old architect.

While the players have gotten longer off the tee, Bradley sees a scenario where the fast greens and gusty ocean winds will send scores soaring.Ping G20

“If the wind blows, I think the winning score could be over par,” he said.

Bradley rallied from five shots down with three holes to play last year at the Atlanta Athletic Club, eventually winning a three-hole aggregate playoff over Jason Dufner. Bradley smiled as he watched a video highlight of his biggest moments, including a 35-foot birdie putt on the 71st hole that helped him charge back.Taylormade r11 Driver

“It kind of really hits home what I’ve done, times like this,” he said.

Bradley was on hand partly to start the process of doing it again. While there’s more than four months until Bradley and the rest of the world’s best tee off, Bradley soaked up as much as he could during his round.TaylorMade R11S Driver

“I learned where to hit it and, thanks to my playing partners, where not to hit,” he said.

Bradley, taking the week off from the PGA Tour, later hit a ball off the flight deck of the decommissioned aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown that is docked near Charleston. Bradley’s second shot from 65 feet above the harbor hit the target, earning several fans watching tickets to Monday’s practice rounds.TaylorMade Drivers

Bradley said it took him several months to adjust to things like his aircraft carrier stunt and the attention that comes with a major win. That, he says, is why he didn’t play so well following the PGA. Slowly, through talking to family – his aunt is famed women’s golfer Pat Bradley – and friends on the PGA Tour, Bradley learned to balance the early week duties of media, pro-ams and fans with playing solid golf.

Bradley finished second at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera last month. He’s been no worse than 22nd in any of his eight starts this season.

“It took some time to realize that things had changed,” he said. “That’s been the biggest adjustment.”

Bradley feels as grounded as he was before that life-changing week outside Atlanta when he entered 108th in the world and was an unlikely pick to end America’s drought of not winning the previous six majors.TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver

“When I’m home I don’t feel any different. I don’t feel like a major champion,” the 25-year-old Bradley said.

Some things have changed dramatically. The Boston sports fan has thrown out the opening pitch at a Red Sox-Yankees game, dropped the puck for the Bruins and flipped the coin for the AFC champion New England Patriots. But nothing with the hometown NBA squad.

“Still waiting on the Celtics,” Bradley joked.

Maybe they will reach out after he wins a second major.

Bradley feels his game is strong and prepared for the Masters at Augusta National next month. He’s talked with his friend Phil Mickelson about preparing for the tournament and plans to play next week at Houston before arriving at Augusta.

“It’s a great course for me and I’m really trying to copy what Phil Mickelson does,” Bradley said.

Mickelson has won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

The PGA Championship will be the first major championship held in South Carolina. The Ocean Course served as host for the 2007 Senior PGA, organizers using the event as a run through for this summer’s showcase.

Dye was on hand to make sure his masterpiece will be in first-class shape. The course is expected to play at 7,606 yards. Add in the tricky winds, the sand dunes and marshes that line nearly every hole and things could get as wild down the stretch this August as they did for Bradley last year.

Bradley, a long hitter, used a driver and hybrid 3-iron into the wind on the 494-yard, par-4 18th hole and came up short of the green. He’s certain he’ll be ready when it’s time to defend his crown.

“This year has been a lot of fun so far,” Bradley said. “I’m still looking for a win, but I’ve definitely been a lot more comfortable out there than I was a year ago.”

What’s Your Major winning essay, easy up-and-downs

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LEONARD KAMSLER
Playing the ball back and standing so close to the ball that the heel comes off the ground makes it unlikely that you’ll the shot fat.

Good chipping is crucial to any golfer’s quest for lower scores. Your favorite Tour player is no exception — regardless of ability, all golfers miss greens and need a sound short game to keep bogeys or worse at bay.

The way I stress the importance of the short game to my students is to tell them to imagine how good their scores would be if 90 percent of their chip shots resulted in automatic up-and-downs (which is the rate at which most Tour players get up and down from within 10 yards of the green). Assuming that you miss up to 12 greens a round — like most amateurs do — and get up and down only once or twice, you can see how reaching the 90 percent up-and-down success rate common among Tour pros can significantly lower your handicap.

If chipping isn’t one of your strong points, here’s an easy technique that will help make knocking the ball close nearly foolproof. You don’t have to be a pro as much as you have to be efficient.

 

Step 1: Club Selection

For this shot I recommend using one swing with different clubs, depending on the distance to the pin. For close pins I use a sand wedge, while for longer chips I’ll go as low as a 6-iron.

 

Step 2: Address

Notice in the photo above how I’ve set my weight slightly forward while playing the ball well back in my stance. This ensures a descending blow at impact and eliminates any chance that you’ll hit the ground behind the ball (fat contact is the most common cause of bad chip shots). Grip down on the club enough so that you can stand fairly close to the ball, and let the heel of the club come off the ground. This will produce a slight “bow” in your left wrist, which will keep it firm for a smooth back-and-through motion while minimizing its ability to hinge. Standing close also helps you to swing the club more “down the line,” which gives you excellent directional control.titleist irons

 

Step 3: Swing

Consistency is the key, so take a few practice swings to ensure a nice “scuff” in the grass just in front of the ball (no divots allowed). Then step into the shot and repeat your practice swing (length and tempo) as you chip the ball. Once you learn to ensure clean and consistent ball contact, you’ll find that your chip shots roll the proper distance and stop near the pin for an easy putt.

 

Q: What exactly do you and Phil Mickelson talk about when you’re prepping for a major?

— Ryan P., Pacific Palisades, Calif.

A The details are private to Phil, but basically we try to figure out (1) where the course will most critically attack his game, (2) where his missed shots are most likely to end up, and (3) how long putts roll and break. Then we work on sharpening his game to meet the course’s primary challenge (sand shots for Oakmont, chips shots for Pinehurst, etc.), and finish by practicing shots from his miss areas. Our goal is to have no surprises in a major.scotty cameron putter

Congratulations to 2011 “What’s Your Major?” Winner Randy Blunt. Here is his winning essay:

A Win for Autism
My major is the Autism Charity Classic, played in Tubac, Ariz., at the course where Tin Cup was filmed. This past year’s event was an amazing two days for both my son, Tyler, and me. Tyler is non-verbal. He doesn’t speak, but he is kindhearted and loves people. He also loves being out on the golf course, as I learned during the Autism Classic this past year. The shade of his Pelz hat and control of the golf cart throttle were all that he needed to enjoy the round, Tyler’s presence was an inspiration to everyone, especially me. When I received the third place trophy and hoisted Tyler on my shoulders, the crowd responded with a burst of applause. Tyler will be my “caddy” for many years to come, and next year we are after the top prize. The event benefits a terrific cause and provides positive support for Tyler. Former NFL player Rodney Peete and his son R.J. played in the tournament this year, and he has committed to making it an annual affair. We are hopeful that more players will bring their kids next year. Winning the 2012 Autism Classic would mean the world to us. It would mean another trip to the winner’s podium for Tyler, and this time, I’ll have his communication tablet ready for him to thank the crowd.titleist drivers

Sergio Garcia makes a 12 on third hole in final round at Doral

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DORAL, Fla. (AP) — Sergio Garcia required five golf balls to make a 12 on the par-4 third hole Sunday in the Cadillac Championship.
Taylormade Driver

Garcia began his final round with an eagle on the opening hole. Whatever chance he had at a good closing round ended two holes later when his tee shot failed to clear the pond that runs along the right side of the 438-yard hole.titleist putters

He took a penalty drop in the rough in front of the water, and then tried three times to clear the pond, failing with each shot. Garcia finally went over the green with his ninth shot, chipped onto the green to 35 feet and two-putted for a 12.Taylormade r11 Driver

Despite making five birdies and an eagle, Garcia closed with a 76. He ended his round hitting yet another shot into the water on the 18th for double bogey. And it rained as he played the final hole.Taylormade R11S Driver

Garcia declined comment after his round.TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver

“Not today, guys,” he said. “I don’t have the energy.”

Rory McIlroy’s run of birdies keeps him in the hunt

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Rory McIlroy is one shot off the lead after two rounds.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy was practicing about 15 minutes away at The Bear’s Club without much wind, so it would not have surprised him to see low scores on PGA National in the second round of the Honda Classic.

The course record of 64 was matched three times Friday morning.

And that was before Brian Harman completed the morning session by standing in the fairway on the par-5 18th hole with a realistic shot at 59. Trying to go at the flag instead of safely in the middle of the green for a reasonable eagle putt, he came up short in the bunker, failed to get up-and-down and had to settle for a 61.

So as much as McIlroy was trying to tell himself that par was a good score in the breezy afternoon, he had to rely on birdies to stay close to the lead and give himself a shot at winning to move up to No. 1 in the world.

On a day of moderate wind and low scores, the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland birdied three of his last five holes for a 5-under 67, leaving him one shot behind Justin Rose (66) and 43-year-old journeyman Tom Gillis (64) going into the weekend.

“You can’t play 36 holes around here and expect to come away without any bruises at all,” Rose said.

Rose reached 10 under before back-to-back bogeys dropped him back into a share of the lead with Gillis, who is atop the leaderboard on the PGA Tour after any round for the first time in his career.

They were at 8-under 132.

“Still a lot of golf left – 36 holes,” McIlroy said. “I just need to keep doing the same things, try to drive the ball in the fairway and give myself loads of opportunities, and try and take a few. Because you don’t need to make tons of birdies out here. You just have to keep big numbers off your card.”

Tiger Woods made five birdies and a big number.

With his 3-year-old son, Charlie, in the gallery for the first time at a tournament, Woods made five birdies in soft, still conditions, then was undone by a tee shot that was headed for water no sooner than it left his club. He made double bogey, then rallied with a pair of birdies on the last two holes for a 68.

It left him seven shots behind, still within shouting distance of the leaders and a chance to end his longest PGA Tour drought – now at 18 months – at what he calls his new hometown tournament.

Woods lives in nearby Martin County, as does his mother, who brought her grandson to the course.

“I got it going, lost it, going it going, lost it and then got it going,” Woods said. “It was a little bit of a fight today – probably the worst I’ve hit the ball in months.”

Woods was happy to at least be within range. Then again, so was everyone.

The cut came at 141 – the lowest since the Honda Classic moved to PGA National in 2007 – meaning all 77 players advancing to the weekend were within nine shots of the lead.

McIlroy, who would have to win the Honda Classic to replace Luke Donald atop the world ranking, was at 7 under along with Dicky Pride, who birdied his last hole for a 67.

Harman, Jimmy Walker (67) and Monday qualifier Vaughn Taylor (66) were another shot back.

Proof of the low scoring came from Harman, the rookie from Georgia who never imagined standing in the 18th fairway with a chance to shoot 59 with an eagle on the par 5. He gave it his best shot, leaving a hybrid into the front bunker in an attempt to have a reasonable putt. Harman wound up missing a 5-footer and had to settle for par, though his 61 still broke the course record by three shots.TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver

“Just one of those crazy days where everything comes together,” Harman said. “Got off to a really hot start and just kept the pedal down all day. It was awesome.”

McIlroy ran off nine straight pars – he missed two birdie chances from 5 feet and another one from 12 feet – until he made bogey from the bunker on the 13th hole. He answered with back-to-back birdies, from tap-in range on the 14th and a 15-footer on the next hole, and then finished with a two-putt from 65 feet.TaylorMade R11 Driver

“I had a few chances early on and didn’t take them,” McIlroy said. “Kept making pars and making pars, and broke that run with a bogey on 13 which was frustrating. But to bounce back from that and birdie three of the last five holes was nice, and puts me in great position going into the weekend.”TaylorMade R11s Driver

Gillis said his turning point came with a 25-foot par putt on the 10th, followed by three birdies over the next four holes.

It was quite a turnaround for Gillis, who has played in 26 countries during a journey that has taken him to tours in Europe, Asia and South Africa. He even thought about quitting after he failed to get back to the PGA Tour through Q-school, but he stuck with it, hopeful of days like this one.TaylorMade R11S Irons

Gillis even went home to Michigan after one of his failures at Q-school to get a real job.

“Job market wasn’t very good. Didn’t have a whole lot to offer them, to be quite honest with you,” he said. “So I thought, `Geez, I’d better turn around and go back out there and see if I have anything left.’ It’s kind of a cool story. I like it because you dig deep and you move forward, and it’s a good example to young kids, just never give up and keep believing.scotty cameron putter

“Sometimes it’s hard to do that in this game because it seems like the game is built to tear you down to some extent.”

Tom Gillis shoots 64 to take lead at Honda, Tiger Woods well back

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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – Tom Gillis has been just about everywhere in golf except atop the leaderboard on the PGA Tour.Wilson BLX Tennis Racquets

Gillis at least gave himself a chance Friday in the Honda Classic, where the 43-year-old journeyman made a long par putt in the middle of his round that triggered a series of birdies for a 6-under 64.Babolat Aero Racquets

Among the early starters, Gillis had a two-shot lead at 8-under 132.

If he wasn’t overly excited, it because half the field was still on the course, and because the conditions were so benign at PGA National that even a 64 was no longer anything special.

“It wasn’t a perfect round, but it was pretty good,” Gillis said.

Brian Harman was better than that.

The rookie from Georgia stood in the middle of the fairway on the par-5 18th hole with a chance to shoot 59 if he made eagle. He gave it his best shot, leaving a hybrid into the front bunker in an attempt to have a reasonable putt. Harman wound up missing a 5-footer and had to settle for par, though his 61 still broke the course record by three shots.Babolat Pure Drive Racquets

“Just one of those crazy days where everything comes together,” Harman said. “Got off to a really hot start and just kept the pedal down all day. It was awesome.”

For Tiger Woods, it was a matter of hitting the gas and slamming on the brakes.

Woods stuffed an approach inside 3 feet for birdie, then had to scramble for bogey. He bounced a tee shot off a spectator and turned that into birdie, only to hit his next tee shot into the water for double bogey. Two birdies to finish his round gave him a 2-under 68, leaving him seven shots out of the lead.Wilson Tennis Racquets

“It was nice to get that kind of finish because I was struggling today a little bit, trying to find a motion that was going to get the job done,” said Woods, whose 3-year-old son, Charlie, watched him play a tournament for the first time. “Somehow, I managed to score.”Babolat Tennis Racquets

He still didn’t score as well as so many others.

Graeme McDowell, who opened with a 73, birdied five of his last seven holes for a 64. Ted Potter Jr. played bogey-free for a 64.

Vaughn Taylor, who had to qualify Monday for the Honda Classic, had a 66 and joined Harman at 6-under 134. Harris English, the PGA Tour rookie who has yet to miss a cut, had a 69 and was another shot behind.

Gillis said his turning point came with a 25-foot par putt on the 10th, followed by three birdies over the next four holes. Whether his lead holds depended on the afternoon players, such as first-round leader Davis Love III and Rory McIlroy.

It was quite a turnaround for Gillis, who has played in 26 countries during a journey that has taken him to tours in Europe, Asia and South Africa. He first earned his PGA Tour card in 2003, was injured a year later, didn’t keep his card on 2005 and thought about quitting when he landed on the Nationwide Tour again in 2006.

But he stuck with it, hopeful of days – and possibly weeks – like this one.

Gillis even went home to Michigan after one of his failures at Q-school to get a real job.

“Job market wasn’t very good. Didn’t have a whole lot to offer them, to be quite honest with you,” he said. “So I thought, `Geez, I’d better around and go back out there and see if I have anything left. It’s kind of a cool story. I like it because you dig deep and you move forward, and it’s a good example to young kids, just never give up and keep believing.

“Sometimes it’s hard to do that in this game because it seems like the game is built to tear you down to some extent.”

Harman figured he was on his way home early – his next stop is Puerto Rico – after he opened with a 73, well outside the projected cut. But he made two quick birdies, then holed a 25-foot eagle putt on No. 3, and he was on his way.

The left-hander of slight build – 5-foot-7, 150 pounds – didn’t realize how far he would go. He shot 29 on the front nine. After a bogey on the 12th, twice made birdie inside 6 feet, then added another birdie on the 16th hole to reach 9 under for his round.

Two birdies, and he could hit golf’s magic number. Only five players in PGA Tour history have shot 59.

“I walked off 16 and I was like, `Man, if I birdie these last two holes, I’m going to shoot 59,”’ he said. “But then I looked at the pin on 17 and I’m like, `I don’t know about jacking a 5-iron at this thing.’ I had a good shot there. And I had a great drive on 18 and had a chance. I mean, I had a chance.”

Normally, he would play a 3-wood from just inside 250 yards to the back of the green and take two putts for birdie. Wanting to seize on the rare opportunity, he hit a hybrid – a club combining properties of a wood and iron – and came up just short and into the sand.

All was not lost.

“Just got it rolling today,” Harman said. “It’s just one of those days where everything went my way, everything bounced toward the hole and I made a lot of putts.”

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