Golf briefs for September 2, 2005

Friday, Sept. 2, 2005 | 9:43 a.m.

Tournament ends Faxon's busy week

Brad Faxon is coming off his first PGA tour victory in four years, closing with a 61 in the Buick Championship and winning a playoff by hitting 7-iron out of a fairway bunker to 3 feet. When he got home, some five dozen friends were waiting at his house to celebrate.

He played a Boston Red Sox pro-am Monday morning with general manager Theo Epstein, and threw out the first pitch that night at Fenway Park. Then came a Titleist photo shoot on a rainy Tuesday, parties and lunches with sponsors, followed by an auction Thursday night for the PGA Tour Wives Association. His wife is the president.

In between, he hit a ceremonial tee shot for the tour's "Drive to a Billion" charity program.

"Thank God this tournament starts tomorrow," Faxon said. "Finally slept more than three hours last night. But I enjoyed that. And I expect that this week."

He's not sure what to expect once the Deutsche Bank Championship gets under way today. The tournament is a $5.5 million event that benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation and has the benefit of getting the No. 1 player on the TPC at Boston.

Goosen holds lead

South Africa's Retief Goosen held a one-stroke lead against Michael Campbell of New Zealand as the two U.S. Open winners surged ahead of the field during the second round of the Volkswagen Masters in Beijing.

Goosen, the world No. 5 golfer, followed his course record 64 yesterday with a bogey-free 67 to move to 13-under at the Jinghua Golf Club. Campbell looked to be heading for the course record before a bogey at the 17th left him with a 65.

Australia's Gary Simpson was alone in third place on 10- under after striking a 68. The nearest players are a group of three on 7-under.

Bowie shoots 65 in first round

At Springfield, Ill. Heather Bowie Bowie chipped in for an eagle and had a bogey-free 7-under 65 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the State Farm Classic.

She finished 12th in the Solheim Cup standings and was passed over when the captain's picks were announced. But Bowie is on pace to challenge for her second career title after winning the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in July.

After starting slowly, she made her move with a 14-foot wedge shot for eagle on the fourth hole at the birdie-friendly Rail Golf Club. She leads by one stroke over Sherri Turner, Tina Barrett and Natalie Gulbis.

Clarke withdraws to be with family

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, the world's 18th-ranked golfer, withdrew from next week's Singapore Open to be with his wife, Heather, who has been sick with cancer.

The father of two took a two-month break at the end of 2004 and missed events this year including the U.S. Open to tend his wife. Singapore Open organizers said "rather than make the long trip, he felt it wise to stay at home."

-- Sun wire services