''A slow start'' on the front nine in round-two of the Commerce Bank Championship by Lonnie Nielson turned into a 7-under 64 to take the lead heading into Sunday's final round.
After a bogey on the second hole which he called ''sloppy'', Nielson birdied the next three out of seven holes to take a record-tying three-shot lead over Tom McKnight who finished with a 5-under 66. In 91-Champions Tour events Nielson has not won a tournament and with a win tomorrow he would become the sixth player to record their first tour victory on Long Island. The last two winners of this tournament, Ron Streck and John Harris, recorded their first victories on the 50 and over tour at Eisenhower Park.
On the back nine Nielson birdied five out of the nine holes, saving par on the 10th, 13th, 16th and 18th. Today he shot an impressive 31 on the back nine compared to a 33 in round-one. Conversely, Bruce Summerhays who shot a 6-under 65 played his best game on the front nine. He birdied three, four, five, eight and nine to catapult from 43rd place to tenth place.
Bob Gilder, David Edwards and John Harris shot 4-under 67's and R.W Eaks and Jay Sigel shot 5-under 66's to pull into the top five. If Sigel is able to win tomorrow he would become the tour's oldest player to win a tournament at sixty-three years old.
Friday's leader Loren Roberts stayed at 7-under par after shooting a 71. He is tied for fifth heading into tomorrow's final and told me after today's round that ''I just didn't play good. Hit a couple of loose shots and I made no puts. Couple of spots where you know I couldn't hit my shots.
If he's going to stay in contention he will have to be effective with his putter and make the majority of his shots.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Live From The Commerce Bank Championship
The suns out, the grass is glistening green and the temperature is in the mid seventies as play begins in day two of the Commerce Bank Championship from the Red Course at Eisenhower Park.
After arriving at the 7,021-yard course at approximately 8:30, I raced over to the driving range to watch the players practice and possibly acquire some interviews. Unfortunately, this course encapsulates so much space that it's extremely difficult to find your way around. Even though there are marshalls and hundreds of amicable volunteers, one can easily get lost and that's exactly what happened to me. I went by numerous holes that were three to four hundred yards long until it finally hit me that I needed to retrace my steps and find the eighteenth green.
Although I wasted at least twenty minutes, I was rewarded when I find the putting green and driving range because I had ample opportunities to ask for interviews. Equipped with my new Olympus digital voice recorder I was able to receive interviews with golf Hall of Famer and historian Ben Crenshaw, Danny Edwards, Massy Kuramoto and the top player on the Champions Tour Jay Haas.
From the perspective of a fan of golf and a reporter covering the event it was noticeable how fun, respectful, receptive and accessible the majority of golfers were. Out on the range they are cracking jokes, seeking advice from each other, conversing and signing autographs for fans and hitting picture perfect shots that the average golf player would salivate over.
Joe Ozaki, Bruce Vaughn and Rich Karbowski were the first group of players to start from the first tee Saturday morning at 9:35, and Boonchu Ruangkit, Kirk Hanefeld and Jon Chaffee were the first group of players to start from the tenth tee. Leader Loren Roberts, Eduardo Romero and Lonnie Nielsen were scheduled to begin at 11:35 off of the first tee.
After arriving at the 7,021-yard course at approximately 8:30, I raced over to the driving range to watch the players practice and possibly acquire some interviews. Unfortunately, this course encapsulates so much space that it's extremely difficult to find your way around. Even though there are marshalls and hundreds of amicable volunteers, one can easily get lost and that's exactly what happened to me. I went by numerous holes that were three to four hundred yards long until it finally hit me that I needed to retrace my steps and find the eighteenth green.
Although I wasted at least twenty minutes, I was rewarded when I find the putting green and driving range because I had ample opportunities to ask for interviews. Equipped with my new Olympus digital voice recorder I was able to receive interviews with golf Hall of Famer and historian Ben Crenshaw, Danny Edwards, Massy Kuramoto and the top player on the Champions Tour Jay Haas.
From the perspective of a fan of golf and a reporter covering the event it was noticeable how fun, respectful, receptive and accessible the majority of golfers were. Out on the range they are cracking jokes, seeking advice from each other, conversing and signing autographs for fans and hitting picture perfect shots that the average golf player would salivate over.
Joe Ozaki, Bruce Vaughn and Rich Karbowski were the first group of players to start from the first tee Saturday morning at 9:35, and Boonchu Ruangkit, Kirk Hanefeld and Jon Chaffee were the first group of players to start from the tenth tee. Leader Loren Roberts, Eduardo Romero and Lonnie Nielsen were scheduled to begin at 11:35 off of the first tee.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Interview With Commerce Bank Championship Leader Loren Roberts
In his first appearance at the Commerce Bank Championship, Loren Roberts' shot a 7-under 64 to sit a top of the leader board by one stroke over Eduardo Romero and two over Lonnie Nielsen.Roberts, who leads the Champions tour in putting average, scoring average and birdie average, birdied the 17th and 18th holes to end his round on a high note.
After a torrential down pour last night at Eisenhower Parks Red Course, which saw thunder damage a few trees and knock down a scoreboard and hospitality tent, there was uncertainty surrounding the start time of today's event.
Fortunately, crews worked rapidly through the night in order to ensure there would be no delays. Roberts noticed the condition of the course when he said ''miraculous job of getting the course back into shape. Fabulous condition.''
I sat down with the ''boss of the moss'' to discuss his first-round performance and what he attributes to his success putting the ball.
David: Loren, you made birdies at 17 & 18. How would you evaluate your first round of play?
Mr. Roberts: Eighteen was a very tough tee shot. It was a good way to end the day. It was a right to left putt and it went right in the middle. I was very happy with how I struck the ball, driving at every fairway. The greens were softer.
David: What has been the biggest reason for being consistent and effective with the putter.
Mr. Roberts: Gosh, I think a lot of practice. I control the speed well.
David: Does today’s performance give you a boost of confidence heading into the weekend?
Mr. Roberts: I’m looking forward to playing well. This is a great golf course, it has great style. You must shoot low and drive into the fairway. Today I missed none and if you can hit it 270 and have a decent second shot you’ll get it on the green.
Interview With David Edwards From The Commerce Bank Championship
With a one-under 70 Danny Edwards finds himself tied for twenty-seventh heading into the second-round of the Commerce Bank Championship at Eisenhower Park. Paired along side Jay Sigel who shot a 3-under 68 and Jim Dent who shot a disappointing four-over 75, Edwards stayed his ground on a difficult golf course.
I had the opportunity to speak with Mr.Edwards after his first-round of play to discuss his performance and the comments made by playing partner Jim Dent.
David: How would you assess your play today?
Mr. Edwards: I didn’t really drive the ball very well. I played decent, had a few good iron shots and some crucial par plays.
David: Many players said there were challenging par fours. What did you think?
Mr. Edwards: There were long par fours, first with fairway wood, fourth hole driver and fairway wood, 15 is long, very long par fours.
David: Your playing partner today Jim Dent was very displeased with how the fans behaved. What was your impression and do you think he overreacted?
Mr. Edwards: This is a nice place to play. You must have patients, he gets impatient.
David: What do you need to do to stay in contention?
Mr. Edwards: Today I did not play well. I must drive better and keep the ball in play.
I had the opportunity to speak with Mr.Edwards after his first-round of play to discuss his performance and the comments made by playing partner Jim Dent.
David: How would you assess your play today?
Mr. Edwards: I didn’t really drive the ball very well. I played decent, had a few good iron shots and some crucial par plays.
David: Many players said there were challenging par fours. What did you think?
Mr. Edwards: There were long par fours, first with fairway wood, fourth hole driver and fairway wood, 15 is long, very long par fours.
David: Your playing partner today Jim Dent was very displeased with how the fans behaved. What was your impression and do you think he overreacted?
Mr. Edwards: This is a nice place to play. You must have patients, he gets impatient.
David: What do you need to do to stay in contention?
Mr. Edwards: Today I did not play well. I must drive better and keep the ball in play.
Interview With Eduardo Romero From The Commerce Bank Championship
After a strong performance in round-one of the Commerce Bank Championship where he shot a 6-under 65, Eduardo Romero sits in second place heading into the weekend. Romero birdied two, five, seven, twelve, fifteen and seventeen to pull within a shot of tournament leader Loren Roberts. Roberts described his competitors game by saying ''Romero has great hands and great feel. He doesn't worry about mechanics. He just goes out and well.''
In ten events played this season Romero has had six top ten finishes, nine top twenty-fives, is ninth on the money list with earnings totaling $719,449 and fifth on the Charles Schwab cup points list. I caught up with Romero who has been nicknamed ''El Gato'' to ask a few questions.
David: What has the key to your success been this season?
Mr. Romero: I’ve played very good, then last year I still played good. I have a fantastic game and I’m very concentrated. I’m very impressed by my putter and I would have even taken a 4-under today.
David: How was it unbelievable to see your fellow countrymen Angel Cabrera win the U.S Open?
Mr. Romero : It’s very important because it has a big impact on South America and Argentina.
David: Talk about how you’ve been able to form such a close bond with Angel.
Mr. Romero: He’s like my brother and along with my dad we’ve been able to have a nice relationship.
In ten events played this season Romero has had six top ten finishes, nine top twenty-fives, is ninth on the money list with earnings totaling $719,449 and fifth on the Charles Schwab cup points list. I caught up with Romero who has been nicknamed ''El Gato'' to ask a few questions.
David: What has the key to your success been this season?
Mr. Romero: I’ve played very good, then last year I still played good. I have a fantastic game and I’m very concentrated. I’m very impressed by my putter and I would have even taken a 4-under today.
David: How was it unbelievable to see your fellow countrymen Angel Cabrera win the U.S Open?
Mr. Romero : It’s very important because it has a big impact on South America and Argentina.
David: Talk about how you’ve been able to form such a close bond with Angel.
Mr. Romero: He’s like my brother and along with my dad we’ve been able to have a nice relationship.
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