Kaymer off to record-tying start in France
Golf Betting Lines
07/02/2009 - Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Martin Kaymer got off to a flying start Thursday as he fired a nine-under 62 to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Open de France.
Kaymer matched the course record at Le Golf National that Eduardo Romero set in 2005.
Peter Hanson carded a six-under 65 to share second place with 2006 winner John Bickerton, Thongchai Jaidee, Rafa Echenique and Scott Strange.
Nick Dougherty, who won the BMW International Open last week, is tied for seventh place with Paul Waring at minus-five.
Kaymer's round did not get off to a good start as he tripped to a bogey on the 10th. He reclaimed that stroke with a birdie on the 12th and followed with birdies on 13 and 14.
The German moved to three-under with a birdie on the 17th. Around the turn, Kaymer rolled in a seven-footer for birdie on the first.
Kaymer chipped in for eagle on the par-five third to jump to minus-six. He sank a 13-foot birdie effort on seven and came right back with a long birdie putt on the eighth.
At the ninth, Kaymer's last, he converted a 14-footer for birdie and a share of the course record.
Kaymer, who has been battling a blister problem on his feet, got his week off to a great start as his team posted a 16-under 55 to win the Pro-Am on Wednesday.
"I've been missing a lot of short putts, but everything came together and I hope it continues," said Kaymer. "The foot's still hurting, but I will survive. Yesterday when I was practicing it was unbelievable pain, but now I don't worry about it."
Bickerton posted three birdies on the front nine, then birdied four of the first six holes on the back nine. In that mix was a bogey on the 11th.
"I've changed a few things in my set-up. I was getting very crouched and very lazy and hadn't even noticed myself, so it was important to address those issues," Bickerton admitted. "The fairways are tight here, but if you do get the ball in the right places then you can get the ball close to the hole and the greens are quite receptive."
Miguel Angel Jimenez and defending champion Pablo Larrazabal are tied for ninth place at four-under-par 67. They are joined there by Robert-Jan Derksen, David Drysdale, Ricardo Gonzalez, Paul Lawrie, Jean Van de Velde, Thomas Levet, Sam Little, Francesco Molinari and Alejandro Canizares.
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes brought in veteran defenseman Adrian Aucoin on a one-year contract Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed per team policy. Aucoin, whose departure from Calgary was ea
<< O'Neal ready to "Win a ring for The King"
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shaquille O'Neal met the media Thursday in
Cleveland, a week after he was traded to the Cavaliers from the Phoenix Suns,
and unveiled a new motto in his attempt to capture another NBA title.
"Win a ring
<< Materazzi signs three-year extension with Inter
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defender Marco Materazzi has signed a three-
year contract extension with Inter Milan.
Materazzi, 35, had 12 months remaining on his existing deal but is now under
contract at the San Siro until 2012.
<< Altidore among seven added to U.S. Gold Cup team
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jozy Altidore was among seven players added to
the United States' Gold Cup roster, a change allowed by CONCACAF for any team
also playing in the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Forward Conor Casey, midfielders
<< Rockies deal Baker to Cubs
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Rockies traded infielder Jeff Baker
to the Chicago Cubs Thursday in exchange for minor league pitcher Alberto
Alburquerque.
The Rockies had placed Baker on the 15-day disabled list with a
Farmville, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Longwood University has extended the contract of men's basketball head coach Mike Gillian. Financial terms were not released but the extension covers multiple years. The Lancers were 17-14 la
Gudjohnsen expects to leave Barca >>
Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen is
content to wait on a decision over where he will be playing his football next
season.
The 30-year-old is expected to exit the Camp Nou this summer, but his age
Twins demote Henn, to recall Duensing >>
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins have assigned pitcher
Sean Henn outright to Triple-A Rochester and plan to recall left-hander Brian
Duensing prior to Friday's game with the Detroit Tigers.
Henn, who signed as a mi
Bremen's Schaaf confirms Naldo exit >>
Bremen, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Werder Bremen manager Thomas Schaaf has
confirmed that Brazilian defender Naldo will be allowed to leave the club this
summer.
The 26-year-old centre-half has been with the Bundesliga club for four s
Thrashers sign Antropov >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Thrashers signed unrestricted free
agent forward Nik Antropov to a multi-year contract Thursday. Terms of the
deal were not disclosed, per team policy.
The 29-year-old compiled career-highs
El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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