Associated Press
NORTON, Mass. ó Vijay Singh kept pouring in birdie putts, 35 feet on one hole and 60 feet on the next, as cheers turned from disbelief to sheer amazement.
That might be the last bit of excitement for this edition of the FedEx Cup.
Despite a volatile new points system designed to give more players a chance, Singh took the suspense out of the PGA Tour Playoffs with an 8-under 63 on Monday to win the Deutsche Bank Championship in record fashion. It was his second straight victory, giving him such a large lead that he could wrap up the $10 million prize before the Tour Championship.
iRight now, my focus is going to be next week, and see if I can wrap it up,î Singh said.
U.S. OPEN
NEW YORK ó By now, Venus and Serena Williams know all too well how it feels to set aside sisterhood for a couple of hours and try to beat each other on a tennis court.
They know what it feels like to meet at a Grand Slam tournament, what it feels like to win such a match, what it feels like to lose.
And they much prefer it when thereís a major championship at stake. The all-Williams showdown, set up by their easy victories Monday at the U.S. Open, comes earlier this time.
This time, Williams vs. Williams is only a quarterfinal.
iItís so soon,î Serena said. iYou know, itís just disappointing to be so soon.î
Both advanced through the fourth round without a challenge. The No. 7-seeded Venus dismissed No. 9 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-1, 6-3, before No. 4 Serena dispatched wild-card entrant Severine Bremond of France 6-2, 6-2 at night.
iEven the semis would have been better than the quarterfinals, but at least one of us will make it to the semis,î Serena told the crowd during an on-court interview. iIíve got probably the toughest match of the tournament coming up next, so Iíve got to be ready.î
NHRA
INDIANAPOLIS ó Five-time champion Tony Schumacher capped off a historic performance at the 54th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Monday with his decisive final-round win over longtime foe Doug Kalitta.
Schumacher set NHRA Top Fuel records for wins in a row (6) and wins in a season (11) and he tied Joe Amato for most wins all-time in Top Fuel (52).
SOCCER
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. ó Landon Donovan took off his shirt and soaked in the South Florida sun as he walked off the field Monday, chuckling at the dozen or so college girls photographing his every move.
Donít expect Donovan and the United States menís soccer team to get such a friendly reception at their next stop: The national teamís first match in Cuba in 61 years next Saturday.
And donít expect the U.S. to focus on anything but soccer, either.
iWeíre not going there to be political,î Donovan said Monday. iIím not going there to make any political statements. Iím going there to play and try to win.î