Golf briefs for March 25, 2005

Friday, March 25, 2005 | 9:24 a.m.

Rain disrupts play at Indonesia Open

Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant eagled his final hole to soar past Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts into the lead in the Indonesia Open as thunderstorms again disrupted play today in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Wiratchant made a three on the 524 yard ninth hole to post a second successive 63 and an impressive 14 under par total of 126, one clear of Colsaerts who equaled the previous day's low rounds of 62.

Overnight leaders India's Arjun Atwal and Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey have still to complete their second rounds but remain among the leaders.

Of the two Ryder Cup players in action, Ireland's Paul McGinley shot a second-round 68, which left him just inside the cut mark on three under par after playing 23 holes during the day. Having played his last five holes of the first round in level par, he knew he needed to make some improvements and made a good start with a birdie on the 11th, his second, but then dropped three shots in his next five holes before recovering with four further birdies.

Colin Montgomerie was on the same mark with five holes to play when lightning brought players off the course for a second day at 5pm local time. Montgomerie needs to win in Indonesia to climb back into the World Top 50 and therefore qualify for the Masters Tournament.

Two tied atop leader board

Local favorite Kris Cox and Bubba Watson took the early lead at the $500,000 Chitimacha Louisiana Open in Broussard, La.

Cox and Watson fashioned 7-under-par 65s to pull one shot ahead of Ryan Hietala (66) and two in front of Mike Standly (67).

Cox had birdies on the first three holes and never looked back on his way to equaling his career-low round, recorded previously in the third round of the 2000 New Mexico Classic. His round consisted of eight birdies and a single bogey.

"I'm extremely happy with my round," said Cox, born and raised in Lafayette and playing this week via a sponsor's exemption. "I got off to a great start which is what I wanted to do and then I kept it going."

A current resident of Dallas, Texas, Cox still holds his native Lafayette in high regard.

"It means way more to me to play well here than anywhere else," Cox said. "It is great to play in front of family and friends. I put a lot of pressure on myself when I play here but today I tried not to be so emotionally invested in the outcome." Speaking of getting off to a good start, Watson arrived at the top of the leader board in dramatic fashion, posting two eagles in his first five holes, then adding four birdies and a bogey.