Palmer joins English in lead
GOLF
HONOLULU: Ryan Palmer recorded nine birdies, including six in his last seven holes, to move into a tie with Harris English for the thirdround lead at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, Hawaii, yesterday.
Palmer, who began the day in a fourway tie for second, fired a 9under 64 to move to 21under for the tournament.
English, who led by two shots after two rounds, had seven birdies yesterday and, like Palmer, had nothing worse than pars all day long.
Collin Morikawa and Daniel Berger, who were among four players tied for second after round two, hung close to the leaders.
Morikawa shot his second consecutive 65, with eight birdies yesterday, to sit alone in third place at 20under. Berger’s day included six birdies on his way to a 6under 67, leaving him by himself in fourth at 18under.
Sungjae Im, of South Korea, and Justin Thomas had more eventful trips around the Kapalua Plantation Course. They finished the day tied for fifth at 17under.
Meanwhile, Thomas said he was deeply apologetic after using a homophobic slur yesterday.
Thomas, the defending champion, missed a 1.5m putt on the fourth hole after which he uttered the slur which was picked up by a television microphone.
‘There’s just no excuse,’’ the 27yearold American told Golf Channel. ‘‘There’s absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. It’s terrible. It’s not the kind of person that I am.’’
‘‘I need to do better. I deeply apologise to anyone and everybody who I offended and I’ll be better because of it,’’ he added.
Thomas fired an eagle and six birdies yesterday for a 5under 68. — Field Level Media/Reuters