More major heartache for Sergio
From Brian Keogh at Southern Hills
Sergio Garcia suffered more major heartache when he was disqualified for signing for a wrong score in the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Crushed by Padraig Harrington in a play-off for the Open Championship at Carnoustie three weeks ago, Garcia incorrectly signed for a par four at the 17th when he had actually taken a bogey five.
Playing partner Boo Weekley took part of the blame for what happened, explaining: “I wrote the wrong score, putting down a four instead of a five. I tried to call him back but he had already taken off.
"It is my fault for putting down the wrong score on his card, but it’s his fault for not checking. I told him what I had done and he said something like, ‘Well that just puts the icing on the cake’.”
Weekley threatened to match Tiger Woods’ course record-matching 63 but three-putted the 18th for a bogey and a five-under par 65 that left him six off the lead on even par.
Even if he hadn’t been disqualified, Garcia was already making up the numbers on nine over after a 74 as the field prepared to chase Woods on another scorching Tulsa afternoon.
Colourful Weekley showed them the way when he hit five birdies in the space of seven holes in a back nine 31 and left the course wondering if Woods could possibly be catchable. “He’s human, ain’t he?” Weekley suggested.
Open champion Padraig Harrington certainly looked unlikely to lift the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy, though at Southern Hills he was more likely to find locusts rather than ladybirds to fill the cup.
Bogeys at the first and sixth left him 10 shots off the pace on four over par through eight holes while Darren Clarke continued with the solid form that helped him make the cut as he turned in 36 but birdied the 10th and 13th to get back to two over par for the championship with three holes to play.
Woods parred the opening hole to remain two strokes clear of Scott Verplank with Woody Austin, Stephen Ames and Geoff Ogilvy four shots back on two under.