Moving Day at Muirfield
by Dave Weissman, Columbus Wired

(Dublin, Oh) Justin Rose, Ben Curtis and Stephen Ames started out the day tied for the lead in the 2004 Memorial Tournament. But, by the end of play in the third round, Ernie Els was atop the leader board after shooting a 6-under par 66 today to end at 10-under. Fred Couples, playing with Els and aiming for his second Memorial title is in second place at 9-under and will be paired with Els again tomorrow.

“I’ve known Ernie a long time and it just was a fun day,” Couples said of his pairing today with Els. “If anything, tomorrow for me personally will be I think a great day. I’ve been working on my game and it held up today.” Couples had a rocky up and down day on Friday before settling with a 3-under par 69, followed by his 68 today.

Els has played here for 11 years with his best finish (2nd place) coming in 2000. His 66 today tied the course record and set him up to possibly win his first Memorial. “I put myself in a good position most of the day and I hit some good iron shots,” he said. “I’ve got a two-shot lead, but it doesn’t mean much. I’d rather be leading after tomorrow.”

Tiger Woods is still in the hunt. He started out 4-under par for the day, shot 5-under par to leave him only 3 shots out of the lead. “I hit the ball well today, made some nice putts, and basically just kept myself in the ballgame with a chance tomorrow.”

Last year’s champion Kenny Perry put together a solid round to tie for seventh. He shot 6-under par for the day for a 66. “I told my son (his caddie for the tournament) we’re going to have to shoot a pair of 65’s to win this golf tournament,” Perry said. “I putted well, so I gave myself a lot of opportunities and was able to make a few.”

Don’t count out K.J. Choi. The South Korean is currently tied for second place at 10-under par. His day was up and down, but he likes the course and feels like he has a good chance heading into championship Sunday. “I think the course really fits me,” he said. “The way the course is shaped reminds me of South Korea and just the whole environment, I feel very comfortable.”

Tournament host Jack Nicklaus, making the cut for the first time at Memorial since 2000, did not have a great day. He shot 38-39 to place to put him towards the bottom of the leader board and tied for 61st. “Actually, I played pretty decently,” Nicklaus said. “I putted eight times on the front nine, ended up with 19 putts (total).”

Ostrander, Ohio native Ben Curtis did not fare as well. He had a bogey-free two rounds up until today. He would double-bogey #3, bogey on #6 and a bogey on #15 to end his day still on the first page of the leader board, but six shots out of contention. “I had a good run going, and I know going into it that one day this weekend I would make a bogey,” Curtis said. “The odds are with you and I didn’t let that affect me. Just keep going and keep my head up.”

Justin Rose is tied for second and will be paired with K.J. Choi tomorrow, while Stephen Ames will be paired with Tiger Woods.

Fan favorite John Daly was in contention for a while, but a triple-bogey on #9 spoiled his day. He started the day tied for 9th and ended tied for 20th.






People vs Pros Returns in October
John Daly and Gary McCord to play against amateurs in televised event

Two amateur golfers again will get a chance this year to take on two professionals in a televised event with the winner earning $100,000 and the runner-up $50,000. John Daly will appear for the second time with Gary McCord representing the Senior Tour, replacing Lee Travino who played in the made-for-TV event last year.

A total of 240 golfers will play a three-day 54-hole stroke-play competition at Pinehurst, North Carolina, site of the upcoming 2005 U.S. Open Championship. The golfers will be divided equally into two divisions with the champion of each earning the right to play the pros.

The televised match play uses the amateurs handicap to equal out the play. The 49& under age division champion will play John Daly, winner of the 2004 Buick Invitational, 1995 British Open and 1991 PGA Championships. Gary McCord, representing the PGA Senior Tour will compete against the 50 & over division winner.

“Because of its handicap system, golf is one of the few sports that can pit the common man – or woman – in head-to head competition against a top professional,” said Terry Jastrow of Innovative Media Solutions, Inc., the company creating the event.

The televised event is scheduled to appear primetime on ESPN on October 18, 2004 from 9-11 pm ET.