The Golf Watch

Lyle and Beem call it quits early

It seems that the morning conditions at Birkdale got the best of Sandy Lyle and Rich Beem.  Both players withdrew soon after making the turn.  Lyle was at 11-over and Beem was at 12-over. 

According to a Canadian Press story, Beem said after leaving the course:

I'm fine.  I've played a lot of golf and I'm fried. If I had continued, I don't think I would have broken 90. I said very gracefully to the guys on the ninth green, 'I'm sorry, but I can't continue.' It was ugly.

Even with the elements, you'd figure after making the long trek over to Birkdale--especially after going through qualifying--Beem would want to at least finish his round.

Beem needs second place finish or better to advance

Rich Beem finished in a tie for seventh last week at The Barclays, allowing him to sneak into the top-120 to play this week at the Deustche Bank Championship.  Beem is currently in a tie for first and needs to finish in second place or better this week in order to qualify for next week's tournament in Chicago.  "I’d rather be up in the top-70 not having to worry about this and being able to contend not thinking that I have to finish first or second. I don’t mind, I’ve got some life in me, so we’ll see," said Beem to Rich Lerner after his round.  At his press conference, Beem jokingly said, "It would be kind of a shame if I actually finished third, and then I don’t get to go next week.  I might go anyways, piss off Finchem.  I might just show up." 

Baddeley, Beem, Weir lead after second round

Aaron Baddeley, Rich Beem, and Mike Weir lead after the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at 9-under-par.  Baddeley and Beem both fired rounds of 5-under 66, while Weir continued his stellar play from Friday with a 3-under 68.  Nine players are within two strokes of the lead, including Phil Mickelson and Rory Sabbatini.  The leaders tee off at 1:45 p.m. ET.

Beem sneaks into top-120

Rich Beem was ranked 134th in the FedEx Cup standings prior to The Barclays and it was considered unlikely that he would be playing this week in Boston.  However, after a T-7 finish yesterday, Beem moved into the top-120, solidifying his spot in this week's field at the Deutsche Bank Championship.  "I’ve got to go out next week and play just as hard, and hopefully we can get myself back into position again to play in Chicago," said Beem at a press conference yesterday after his round.  Beem (113) and Doug LaBelle II (120) were the two players who jumped into the top-120 as a result of their play at The Barclays.