Sports Notebook
Star-Bulletin staff
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SONY OPEN
Lehman is captain of his own game, too
Tom Lehman is still part-time Ryder Cup captain, but full-time PGA Tour player.
He finished yesterday's third round of the Sony Open by hitting his third shot over the top of the old-fashioned scoreboard that guards the right side of the fairway within 8 feet of the green for a closing birdie.
Lehman's 4-under 66 proves to anyone who thinks the Ryder Cup should be THE priority in his golfing life that he isn't ready to throw his bags in the garage just yet. He sees himself as a member of an elite club of professionals who can still win out here on any given Sunday.
"I still have a lot of expectations in my own game," Lehman said. "Just because I'm the captain, doesn't mean I'm checking out of competing and just going along for the ride. I have high hopes, high goals and high expectations for my own game.
"Actually, being out here playing and working on my game and competing makes it actually easier to be a captain, I believe, simply because I'm with the guys and can interact all the time."
You can tell Lehman is ready to shelve the Ryder Cup talk for a while and see who plays his way into the competition against Europe in September. During the offseason, he mailed an inspirational letter to all the American players telling them what he thought the Ryder Cup means in the grand scheme of things.
Several players mentioned it last week during the early rounds of the Mercedes Championships and how much it meant to them, giving Lehman a good feeling. He knows the Americans have lost four of the last five Ryder Cups and have not looked too good doing it. Wearing a tan Ryder Cup cap with a K Club insignia right above his ear, it's not too early to promote the tournament that will be held in Straffan County Kildare, Ireland.
"I'm glad to hear that," Lehman said when told of the Mercedes comments.
"I sent them to all the American tour members. Even the rookies, tour school, the guys who came out of the Nationwide Tour. It was about 100 letters. There are so many points out there this year that everybody who's playing has a chance. There were all kinds of different messages in the letter, but mostly motivational, let them know I'm truly interested and concerned with their game and how they're playing."
The Ryder Cup will be held at the K Club on the Palmer Course designed by the King. It requires you to be long and straight off the tee. Through Jan. 9, the top five American players in the points race are Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Chris DiMarco, Jim Furyk and Davis Love III. Rounding out the top 10 are David Toms, Vaughn Taylor, Bart Bryant, Kenny Perry and Stewart Cink.
Lehman also has two at-large picks to round out the 12-man team. He knows chemistry is as important as biology. In 2004, the Americans were whipped badly by the Europeans, 18 1/2-9 1/2. Lehman wants to avoid a repeat performance and find the right blend of talent and ability to win under extreme pressure.
"So much of what goes into making our team that I want to be is simply relationships," Lehman said. "When I come out here and play I do my own thing, but I still hang out and talk with the guys, have dinner, go see a movie or do something. That's part of what I think helps bring people together, bonding, doing stuff together."
And also, going out and playing a solid round of golf.
"It was definitely fun to get out here and play some golf," Lehman said of his opening event of 2006. He has always done well here. Since 2000, the 46-year-old has made the cut every year, including a second-place finish to Brad Faxon in 2001 and a tie for ninth last year.
"I like it here," Lehman said. "I always enjoy playing in the wind for one thing. The wind has been good for me. I usually hit it fairly solid. When it gets windy, the conditions suit my game more. Hopefully, I can come out tomorrow and post another good number. It's still about golf for me."
Toms, Campbell raise money: Third-round leaders Toms and Chad Campbell helped raise $100,000 for the American College of Gastroenterology as part of the AstraZeneca Charity Challenge that was formerly known as Crestor.
Through the sponsorship, AstraZeneca will donate $3.5 million this year to designated health care charities.
Inside the numbers: The par-5 18th continues to be the easiest hole on the course with a scoring average of 4.390. There were two eagles, 47 birdies, 32 pars and one bogey. The most difficult hole was the par-4 13th, with a scoring average of 4.280. There were seven birdies, 47 pars, 26 bogeys and two doubles.
The scoring average was more in line with Waialae at 68.671.