Ailing Yang takes control at Tiger’s tournament

THOUSAND OAKS, California, (Reuters) – South Korean  Yang Yong-eun shrugged off the effects of a severe head cold to  burst two shots clear of a congested leaderboard in the Chevron  World Challenge second round yesterday.

Yang, who won his first major title after overhauling Tiger  Woods at the PGA Championship in August, fired a sparkling  seven-under-par 65 on another benign day of sunshine at  Sherwood Country Club.

Helped by a chip-in from greenside rough to birdie the  par-three 15th, the Korean posted a nine-under total of 135 in  the limited field event usually hosted by world number one  Woods.
Woods pulled out of the event on Monday, citing injuries  from a car crash outside his Florida home last week as  speculation began to escalate over his private life.

On Wednesday, he apologised for “transgressions” in a  statement that apparently addressed allegations he had  extra-marital relationships. Yang covered the back nine in three-under 33 to end the day  two ahead of American Kenny Perry (65), Irishman Padraig  Harrington (68) and Britain’s Ian Poulter (69).

Former Masters champion Zach Johnson, co-leader overnight  with Poulter, was among a group of three players at six under  after carding a 70.

Yang, who became Asia’s first male major champion with his  spectacular breakthrough at Hazeltine National, took control of  the tournament despite an erratic display on the greens.

“My putter didn’t really work for me,” he told reporters  through an interpreter. “I think I missed three or four short  putts today.”

He was determined to keep playing on in the tournament  however, even though his health has steadily deteriorated since  Monday.

“I’m coming down with flu or a fever,” Yang said. “I had a  pounding headache when I started today and I chucked in some  medicine but it wore off on the back nine.”

Yang said he would not contemplate pulling out if his  condition worsened.

“No,” he replied after a brief pause.

“If I do collapse, I will collapse on the golf course and I  will withdraw on the golf course.”