Play suspended at saturated Bethpage

By Mark Lamport-Stokes
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - Play was suspended in the rain-lashed first round of the U.S. Open on Thursday because of too much water on the greens.
Although squeegees were being used on every green, organizers decided to call a halt at Bethpage Black at 1015 local time (1415 GMT).
Little-known American Jeff Brehaut led at one under par after 11 holes, level with Swede Johan Edfors (four holes), Canadian Andrew Parr (three) and American Ryan Spears (three).
Holder Tiger Woods, the heavy favorite this week in pursuit of his 15th major title, was one over after six holes.
Persistent rain over the last six weeks had saturated the hilly 7,426-yard layout and further showers and thunderstorms have been forecast on Long Island for the next four days.
"The course is extremely wet," chairman of the championship committee Jim Hyler told reporters.
SEVERE WEATHER
"It rained pretty much the whole time we were doing the setup this morning and the forecast is for more rain to come in waves."
Hyler said the tees had been brought forward on the seventh, ninth, 10th and 12th holes to give the players some relief on the longest layout to stage a U.S. Open.
Seven of the par-four holes are in excess of 450 yards with three of them measuring more than 500.
Although the tight fairways are flanked by graduated rough, extensive rain in recent weeks has left the tangly grass wet, making it difficult for players to escape without penalty.
"Five or six yards off the fairway is where the heavy stuff starts and that's really bad," said 2006 champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia.
"That's the spot not to go. That's the wedge back out on to the fairway.
"The guy who gets it up-and-down from 100 yards is going to be in good shape this week because there's going to be a lot of hacking out of the rough," added Ogilvy.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

Source: Reuters

It's Wozniacki v Wozniak in Eastbourne semis

By Clare Fallon
EASTBOURNE, England (Reuters) - Teen-ager Caroline Wozniacki became the only women's seed to survive as far as the semi-finals of the Eastbourne International Thursday.
The sixth-seeded Dane produced a display of efficient and drama-free tennis to beat Russian qualifier Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-2 in under an hour on Devonshire Park's Center Court.
Holder Agnieszka Radwanska, seeded eighth, was beaten 7-6 7-5 by Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano, who also knocked out top seed Elena Dementieva Wednesday.
Wozniacki, who was Wimbledon junior champion in 2006, will meet Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak or Russian qualifier Vera Dushevina in Friday's semi-finals.
"I love coming back on grass every year and even though it is only a short period of time that we play on grass I feel like I am adapting really fast," said the 18-year-old Wozniacki, whose parents hail from Poland.
Wozniacki, making her fifth appearance at Eastbourne after starting out in the junior tournament here, said it was not just the grass she liked in the seaside resort.
"They have the best ice cream shop right around the corner and every year we go there," she told reporters. "If I win I let myself eat one, if I don't I feel I don't deserve one."
On that basis, Poland's Radwanska, Wozniacki's good friend and fellow ice-cream lover, would have been going hungry on Thursday after failing to find the killer touch in her quarter-final against Razzano.
The 11th-ranked Radwanska broke Razzano, the world number 25, as the Frenchwoman served for the match at 5-3 and fended off three matchpoints with solid serving in the following game.
In the 12th game, however, she allowed her opponent to race to 0-40 and hit a forehand short to give Razzano victory.
"I played a tough match yesterday night and we finished very late and today was another tough match," Razzano said in a court-side interview.
Told she would next face compatriot Marion Bartoli, who beat Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-1 6-4, the Frenchwoman laughed.
"I know everything about her," said Razzano. "She is a special girl. I need to be careful about everything because she can do everything."
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

Source: Reuters

Woods pars opening hole after wild drive

Woods eyes repeat at U.S. Open
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By Mark Lamport-Stokes
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - Triple champion Tiger Woods recovered from a wild tee shot on the opening hole to launch his U.S. Open title defense with a regulation par at a wet Bethpage Black on Thursday.
In steady drizzle, the world number one pulled his drive 40 yards left of the fairway at the par-four first, his ball ending up on trampled grass behind a concession tent.
Watched by huge galleries under leaden skies, Woods appeared to lose his grip on impact before looking on in amazement as his ball sailed wide of the target.
However he was able to salvage a par while playing partners Padraig Harrington and U.S. Masters champion Angel Cabrera both bogeyed the hole.
Woods, who won last year's title in a gripping playoff with fellow American Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines outside San Diego, is the overwhelming favorite this week in pursuit of his 15th major victory.
He won the Memorial tournament 11 days ago in his most recent PGA Tour start and triumphed at Bethpage when the U.S. Open was staged here for the first time in 2002.
Argentina's Andres Romero, in his second appearance at the championship, held the early lead after making a birdie on his opening hole, the par-four 10th.
Fiji's Vijay Singh, after three holes, and 2006 champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia, after two, were among a large group of players at even par.
World number two Phil Mickelson, who finished second behind Woods at the 2002 edition, was among the late starters in a high-profile grouping with twice champions Ernie Els and Retief Goosen of South Africa.
The 156-strong field face a daunting week on the saturated 7,426-yard Black Course, the longest layout to stage a U.S. Open.
Rain has been forecast for all four rounds with thunderstorms expected on Sunday.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

Source: Reuters

Yao calls for young blood in China team

BEIJING (Reuters) - Yao Ming has called for an infusion of new blood in the Chinese national basketball team to ensure they can cope when he eventually brings his international career to a close, local media reported on Thursday.
The Houston Rockets center will not play for China at this August's Asia Championships because of a foot injury and said last year that the Beijing Games would be his last Olympics.
The 28-year-old said Chinese basketball should be less concerned with putting out the strongest possible team for every tournament and give young players more court time to increase their experience.
"I think chances should always be given to young players. However long time I could play, one day I will retire," he told Shanghai TV.
"A team that wants to continue and improve has to have fresh blood."
The 7ft 6in (2.29m) Yao injured his left foot during the NBA playoffs last month. He had a series of serious injuries in 2005 and 2006 and underwent surgery for a stress fracture on the left foot before last year's Olympics.
"I've seen many players still playing in the national team at the age of 30. But it was different that they did not play in a league as intense as the one I do," he said.
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) are determined to reclaim the Asian title they lost two years ago, and have confirmed that 31-year-old former NBA player Wang Zhizhi would be in the squad.
Sun Yue, the 23-year-old LA Lakers guard, has also been ordered by the CBA to return home for the continental tournament in Tianjin from August 6-16 instead of participating in the NBA Summer League.
Yao, who has never been beyond the Western Conference semi-finals in six years with the Rockets, admitted to some envy of his compatriot's championship ring.
"I am a bit jealous, it would be heartless to stay indifferent," he said.
(Reporting by Liu Zhen; Editing by Nick Mulvenney and Peter Rutherford)

Source: Reuters

Centre Court fans no longer at mercy of rain gods

By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) - Never again will Wimbledon stage a men's final such as last year's rain-soaked epic in which Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's five-year reign as dusk fell over southwest London.
The contest which finished in near-darkness thanks to two rain breaks will be consigned to Wimbledon folklore as the All England Club prepares to unveil its newest innovation when the grasscourt grand slam begins on Monday -- a translucent retractable roof over Center Court.
The showers and fading light added extra drama to the five-set thriller won by Nadal 12 months ago but such episodes are usually an unwelcome sight for weather-weary Wimbledon fans.
Never again, promise organisers, will Center Court ticket holders go away from the championships disappointed that they did not catch any tennis because the British rain gods decided to play spoilsport.
"People have a life time ambition to get a seat ticket here on Center Court and I always feel terribly sorry for them when it rains and they miss it," All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie told Reuters in an interview.
"Previously if you came, for example, from the States and you only had a ticket for one or two days, there was always in the back of your mind the possibility that it was going rain. You could come all the way over and not see anything."
While the roof will keep 15,000 visitors to southwest London happy on a daily basis, the other beneficiaries will be the millions of global television viewers who will be guaranteed live action from Wimbledon almost everyday come rain or shine.
To do that Wimbledon has erected a 1,000-tonne concertina structure over Center Court which unfurls at 20 centimetres a second. The two sections of the translucent roof take about seven to nine minutes to lock together and turn the most famous tennis stage in the world into an indoor arena, complete with bright floodlights.
TRADITIONS MAINTAINED
The addition of lighting means matches will be played to the finish and not suspended overnight.
"All the players are excited to see how it's going to really work especially with the lighting as well and having 15,000 people in a stadium," said Federer.
"We appreciate it very much that Wimbledon has gone forward by mixing innovation and tradition."
Some critics have suggested that building a roof over such an iconic structure goes against the belief of a tournament which prides itself for upholding age-old traditions, such as implementing a predominantly white dress rule on competitors.
Ritchie disagreed.
"I don't think that will intervene with the tradition at all. Any time you change anything, you can say that's a break with tradition," said Ritchie. Continued...
Source: Reuters

Tiger the overwhelming favorite at Bethpage

Woods eyes repeat at U.S. Open
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By Mark Lamport-Stokes
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - The omens could hardly be more favorable for triple champion Tiger Woods when he launches his U.S. Open title defense in Thursday's opening round at Bethpage State Park.
Not only is he the greatest player of his generation and arguably of all time but the world number one also won at Bethpage in 2002, the first time the event was staged here.
"I'm excited to be back," the American told reporters while completing his preparations for the second major of the year. "Obviously this golf course brings back some great memories for me.
"My practice rounds have all been good and I'm really looking forward to Thursday. I like my chances in any major."
Woods, the overwhelming favorite in pursuit of his 15th major victory, builds his entire schedule around the grand slam events where his focus and motivation are second to none.
As for bringing good form into Bethpage, he has that totally sewn up after winning the Memorial tournament 10 days ago in his most recent PGA Tour start.
"It's always nice to play well going into a major championship," said Woods, who has been listed by British bookmakers William Hill as the 7-4 favorite.
"To get a win always adds to the confidence, no matter how you win, and especially going into a U.S. Open. Generally this is the hardest major we face, year-in and year-out."
The brutal par-70 Black Course became the longest U.S. Open venue of all time in 2002, playing 7,214 yards off the back tees.
It has since been lengthened to 7,426 yards and this week will feature three par-four holes in excess of 500 yards. With rain forecast for all four rounds, the course will play ultra-long.
GRINDING OUT PARS
Length has never been a problem for Woods, who also relishes the U.S. Open emphasis on grinding out pars at the most relentless of the four majors.
"He's by far and away the favorite but I don't think anyone walks around saying we're playing for second now because Tiger's here," said 2006 champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia.
"Everyone appreciates how good he is, knows he's going to be in contention and hopes to get there with him. He's obviously hard to beat."
Phil Mickelson, who finished second behind Woods in 2002, believes Bethpage will present a tough but fair test. Continued...
Source: Reuters

Congress to review Sosa doping statement

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A congressional committee is to review testimony from seven-times All Star right-fielder Sammy Sosa after a newspaper report said the player had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.
Sosa gave sworn testimony to The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2005 stating that he had not used performance-enhancing drugs.
On Tuesday, the New York Times cited "lawyers with knowledge of the drug testing results" of 2003 as naming Sosa among 104 players who tested positive in 2003.
Edolphus Towns, chairman of the congressional committee released a statement on Wednesday saying that a review would be undertaken.
"According to media reports published this week, Sammy Sosa allegedly tested positive in 2003 for having used a performance-enhancing drug. This Committee heard sworn testimony from Mr Sosa in 2005 when he stated that he had not previously used performance-enhancing drugs.
"The Oversight and Government Reform Committee always takes seriously suggestions that a witness misled the Committee while testifying under oath. Investigators will begin a review of this matter and, upon learning the results, I will determine appropriate next steps," said Towns in the statement released on the committee's website (oversight.house.gov).
Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees confirmed in February that he was one of those who tested positive in 2003.
Although there were no penalties for a positive test in 2003, confidential testing was conducted by Major League Baseball in agreement with the players' union to determine if random testing should be introduced in the following year.
Results of the tests were obtained by the government in conjunction with the investigation into the San Francisco laboratory BALCO and its alleged link with Barry Bonds, baseball's home run record holder.
Sosa, who is now retired, played for the Chicago Cubs in 2003 and the team's current general manager Jim Hendry said there was a need for context.
"We all assume there was an era when a lot of people took things that would now be illegal but the rules weren't set up stringent enough to enforce it at the time," he told MLB.com.
"I think you have to judge people for the era they were in. Unless all the facts are in, speculation is a waste of time. You'll never be able to go back and figure out who did what for sure. I'm not condoning it at all. As long as there is competitive athletics and people can get away with things, they'll try to get a competitive edge," he said.
In 2007, the Mitchell Report cited the use of steroids and Human Growth Hormone among all 30 major league teams. The report named more than 80 players as using performance-enhancing drugs in baseball but Sosa was not among them.
(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by John Mehaffey)

Source: Reuters

Chicago Cubs deal hits snag: report

CHICAGO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A drawn-out $900 million deal by the Ricketts family to buy storied baseball team the Chicago Cubs has hit a possible snag, CNBC reported on Wednesday, but a spokesperson for the buyer said talks were going smoothly.
CNBC said that key issues of dispute are the final purchase price and details about broadcasting contracts.
"The report is untrue and the negotiations have been moving along very positively," Dennis Culloton, spokesman for the Ricketts family said.
Tribune spokesman Gary Weitman said: "We continue an active dialogue with the Ricketts family with an eye toward reaching a definitive agreement. We won't comment on the specifics of any potential transaction."
A source familiar with the negotiations between Tribune and Ricketts, who asked not to be identified, also said the deal is close to completion, financing is in place and that only a few issues remain before it closes.
Tom Ricketts, chief executive of Chicago investment bank Incapital LLC and son of the founder of TD Ameritrade Holding Corp, is leading the bid, which won a lengthy auction for the Cubs in January.
Two sources familiar with the talks told Reuters in May that the deal could close soon, despite disagreements on the value of broadcast contracts.
Tribune Co, which owns the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times newspapers, filed for bankruptcy in December due to its heavy debt load and the weak U.S. publishing sector. It put the Cubs, the team's storied Wrigley Field home and a 25 percent stake in a local sports TV network on the block in April 2007, when Tribune agreed to an $8.2 billion buyout led Zell.
(Reporting by Ben Klayman in Chicago; Writing by Megan Davies in New York; Editing by Richard Chang)

Source: Reuters

Wet weather puts organizers on alert

Woods eyes repeat at U.S. Open
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By Mark Lamport-Stokes
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - Organizers have made contingency plans for the 109th U.S. Open because of a bleak weather forecast.
Extensive rain over the last six weeks has saturated Bethpage State Park's Black Course and further showers are expected on Long Island for the next four days.
"The weather has not been our friend and right now the course is extremely soft," chairman of the championship committee Jim Hyler told reporters on Wednesday. "It's rained in this area something like 30 of the last 45 days.
"Rain is forecast to begin tonight and into tomorrow. It could be as much as half to an inch of rain. If we get an inch of rain it will definitely impact what we do.
"The issue is the course and how much more water it can take," Hyler added.
"We will have volunteers at every green with squeegees. We have nine water hogs ... and we have over 200 people who will be dedicated to keeping this course playable and as dry as possible."
The par-70 Black Course, at 7,426 yards, will become the longest layout to stage a U.S. Open but organizers have the flexibility to vary the tees for all four rounds.
EARLY DECISIONS
"We'll be making some decisions early tomorrow morning about where we put certain tees," Hyler said.
"We will not put any hole locations in low areas of the greens but the teeing grounds will be decided in the morning based on what is happening in the morning and forecast for the rest of the day."
The fairway at the par-four 18th hole, where the tee box and green are both elevated, was of particular concern for Hyler.
"That (hole) is built on a swamp, and it is a swamp," he said. "It does not drain very well and it's very, very wet. We have dry wells there that are constantly being pumped.
"We've actually taken the greens rollers down there and tried to roll that fairway to move water but that's the highest area of concern with regard to the weather."
Despite the poor forecast for the rest of the week, Hyler said players would not be permitted to lift, clean and replace their golf balls on the fairway.
"We'll suspend (play)," he added. "If it's not fair to be playing the ball as it lies, we'll suspend play. We'll stay here until we get a champion." Continued...
Source: Reuters