Poulter storms into contention
Tiger home and dry
took inspiration from the late Jarrod Lyle as he switched his shirt to yellow to remember the Australian – and shot a superb 65 in the sweltering heat.
The popular Lyle died this week after a long battle with leukemia, and many players wore yellow cancer ribbons.
American Fowler, who is seeking an elusive first Major title, said: “I was scripted to wear some sort of dark blue shirt, but luckily I had a yellowish version.
“I was lucky enough to be able to talk to him last Friday, so one thing that did help is hearing from him how he felt. It was tough news but I’m definitely happy that we could be here supporting Jarrod.
“It’s been fun to be thinking about him while we’re out there playing and we’ll continue to do that.”
South African Louis Oosthuizen withdrew from the Championship with an undisclosed injury yesterday, announcing his decision just before his opening tee shot.
His place in the field was taken by American Kelly Kraft.
The PGA of America refused to comment last night on reports that hackers had targeted their computer servers earlier this week and demanded a ransom. TIGER WOODS changed his shirt and his game to salvage a level-par 70 in the opening round yesterday.
The four-time champion suffered a bogey-double bogey start to slip to three over after only 30 minutes.
But on another scorching day in St Louis, Woods, who started on the 10th hole, nipped to the bathroom to take off his soaked shirt before the 12th, his caddie Joe LaCava telling playing partners: “That one’s not working.” Woods, above, birdied the 12th and made one more bogey only to finish five shots off the clubhouse lead. “I always carry extra shirts in the summer,” said Woods. “Normally I change before the round. There wasn’t a place to change on the 10th. I’ve tried everything, I just sweat a lot.” Rory McIlroy, wearing an antiinflammatory patch on his forearm, parred his final nine holes for a 70. “You had to stay patient,” he said. Defending champion Justin Thomas carded a 69.