|
FEATURES
HOME
Woods had only one frustration on Friday -- mobile phones. They rang with annoying frequency among the crowd at the private Alpine Golf and Sports Club, which is owned by Thaksin Shinawatra, a candidate for Prime Minister in the upcoming elections whose $2 billion commercial empire is built on the mobile- phone business. Many of the spectators, members of the Thai social elite, simply ignored the large signs posted all over the course instructing fans to turn off their phones, and jabbered away while players were poised over their shots. Woods backed off putts three times, once glaring long and hard at an offender in the crowd. "It was a lot worse today. They got Michael on his downswing a few times," said Woods, referring to playing partner Michael Campbell of New Zealand, who scored a 67 to leave him 6 under for the tournament and tied for sixth. Garcia, meanwhile, wasn't bothered either by the phones or the intermittent roar of 747s approaching nearby Don Muang International Airport. After a disappointing opening round of 74 that included a disastrous eight on the 11th hole when his approach shot hit a rock and ricocheted into the water, Garcia caught fire on Friday. The 20-year-old Spaniard eagled the par-5, 555-yard 5th hole, and added six more birdies on his way to an 8-under-par 64. "I really felt well today. It will be really great if I'm playing with Tiger on Sunday," he said. Garcia will have plenty of competition for a spot in that coveted pairing. At the end of the second round, unheralded Rodney Pampling of Australia was on Woods' heels at 10-under-par, having shot 68 on Thursday and a 66 on Friday. Geoff Ogilvy of Australia, who finished second at last year's Johnnie Walker Classic, was in second place again, two shots behind Woods at 9-under-par, as was Wayne Ogilvy, also of Australia. Former British Open champion Paul Lawrie of Scotland and Paul Gow of Australia followed at 8 under, while Sweden's Parnevik finished at 7 under. Parnevik, who had hip surgery at the end of September, said Friday's 65 was his best round since going under the knife. "Rehab went so well that the doctor said I would not hurt it by playing. I wanted to finish off the season playing as opposed to resting," Parnevik said. After Friday's round, Woods gave a golf clinic for 38 children from the Young Thai Golfer's Association, demonstrating his repertoire of shots, answering questions, and entertaining the crowd. The night before he auctioned off an autographed golf bag to help raise money to save Thailand's elephants. About 4,000 elephants remain in Thailand, despite the fact the animal is the country's national symbol. The charity dinner was attended by HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, sister of Thailand's constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. More than $80,000 was raised. Quick Scroll: More stories from TIME, Asiaweek and CNN |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Back to the top |
© 2000 Time Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines. |