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CNN Live Today

Tiger Woods Could Nail Third Major of Season

Aired August 16, 2002 - 11:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The PGA Championship is under way today on the Minnesota prairie. And while a grand slam is out of the picture at Hazelton National, Tiger Woods could nail down his third major of the season.
CNN sports correspondent Larry Smith joins us today from Chaska, Minnesota.

Weather been a problem there, Larry?

LARRY SMITH, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: No, it hasn't been a problem today. Today, Marty, is a gorgeous day out here, unlike yesterday, when we had the three-hour weather delay, and then the sun came out, and then the wind hit in the afternoon. Perfect conditions, a very light breeze. You almost kind of want to just forget you've got a job to do and go out and just sit in a lawn chair and watch the action.

But it's been outstanding. Round one is complete. But when you have a weather delay like you had on Thursday in round one, these kind of things happen. Rateef Goos (ph), and the former U.S. Open champion, finishes round one about 8:25 local time, teed off round two at 9:05. Not much time to get coffee in between. But it's been outstanding play so far today in round two. No European golfer has won the PGA Championship since 1930. But England's Justin Rose is in the clubhouse after round one at three under par. He tees off this afternoon.

Of course you mentioned everyone watching Tiger Woods, vying for his third major of the year, and trying to become the first golfer ever to win three majors in a year twice and trying to become first to complete the U.S. grand slam, winning three majors in the U.S. Woods, one under par, he tees off at about 3:00 Eastern Time this afternoon, trying to win this ninth major of his career.

Jim Furic (ph), trying to become 12th player in 15 years to make the PGA Championship his first career championship. Furic (ph) had an outstanding round in round one. The 32-year-old tying for the lead after 18 holes at four under par. He is tied with Fred Funk, the former golf coach at the University of Maryland. He birdied three of his last four holes. He also standing at three under par. And Fred Funk, 46 years old, trying to become one of the oldest golfers ever to win a major. And for Fred Funk, who has played in more events in the PGA tour than anybody else since 1990, trying to win first major. Again, he tees off, as does Jim Furic (ph), in afternoon rounds.

But getting back to Tiger Woods, again, vying for his ninth major. That, would get him halfway toward the record of 18 majors set by Jack Nicklaus. And as you know, Tiger Woods, a huge Jack Nicklaus fan when grew up.

But as for today, Mark Kalkavecki (ph) has been the big story in the morning round today. For those who teed off early, he's at five under par. He is in the lead right now, birdies the first -- the 10th and 12th holes, and then an eagle on 15, so he is at five under par, three under today, and we will have updates later.

Let's go back to you -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: All right, thanks very much, Larry, joining us from Chaska, Minnesota, where the weather looks ideal today. Thank you.

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