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John Daly back in the hunt
08/05/2008 16:10 - (SA)
Milan - Twice major champion John Daly
fired a five-under 67 in the first round of the Italian Open on
Thursday to record his best round in four months and trail early
leaders Mark Foster and Marc Warren of Britain by two strokes.
The big-hitting American, ranked 609 in the world and
without a full US PGA Tour card, shot a 66 in the first round
of the Mayakoba Classic on the Nationwide Tour in February for
his best finish of the year at tied 60th.
He has struggled with a rib injury sustained over a year ago
and cited a return to the swing that earned him five PGA titles
as well as British Open and PGA Championship wins as the
catalyst for a round that included a four-under back nine of 32.
"It's nice to be healthy again because the year or more with
the rib problem was brutal for me," the 42-year-old, fans'
favourite told reporters.
"And it's nice to have my old swing back. It's come back
quicker than I thought.
Some positives
"Last week I was four-under for my last nine in Seville (at
the Spanish Open) so I got some positives from that and this
week I moved up my stance a little on the range to help my
swing."
He said last week that coach Butch Harmon had apologised for
parting company with him over media reports Daly had been
drinking in the hospitality tent of one of his charities at the
Tampa Bay Championship in March. Daly denied the reports.
After missing the cut in Seville at the first of two
invitational appearances in Europe, the Arkansas man also noted
improvements in his putting, which has let him down in the past.
"The work with all the magic putting devices I've tried
seems to be working as well and it's so peaceful here I've had
plenty of time to work on my game," he said.
Clubhouse leader Foster was first to a seven-under score of
65 and said he had to regroup after throwing away a winning
chance last week with a closing 76 in Seville.
Warren, with two tour victories to Foster's one, matched him
as the pair edged a shot ahead of Swede Alexander Noren,
Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay and another Briton, Oliver Wilson.
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Rugby
