Lawrence shares sixth as second round ends at rainy US Open

OAKMONT - Thriston Lawrence sank a four-foot par putt Saturday morning to complete his storm-halted second round of the US Open in a share of sixth place at rainy Oakmont.
The 28-year-old South African, halted just shy of the clubhouse by heavy rain Friday night, finished on the ninth hole to complete a four-over par 74 round and stand on one-over 141 through 36 holes.
That left him level with Frenchman Victor Perez, four strokes adrift of US leader Sam Burns, who finished a round of 65 on Friday to stand on three-under 137.
"Just about when I was going to take my putt, the siren sounded," Lawrence said Friday. "A bit frustrating in that sense, but those are the rules... It's an important putt. Each shot means a lot in a championship like this."
American J.J. Spaun, on 138, and Norway's Viktor Hovland on 139 were the only other players below par on the formidable layout, which figures to be far more receptive in round three after an overnight drenching with rain expected to continue all day Saturday.
The only other morning drama came as American Philip Barbaree sank a five-foot par putt on the ninth to shoot 71 and become the last player to make the cut, doing so on the number at seven-over 147.
That earned him the chance to play alone in the first spot off the first tee at 9:12 a.m. (1312 GMT) to start the third round.
Among the leaders, Burns and Spaun were set for a 3:35 p.m. tee time, 11 minutes after Hovland and Australia's Adam Scott begin in the penultimate pairing.
World number two Rory McIlroy, nine strokes off the lead at 146, tees off at 10:34 a.m. with third-ranked American Xander Schauffele, the reigning British Open champion.
Northern Ireland's McIlroy completed a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April for his fifth major title.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, seeking back-to-back major titles after taking last month's PGA Championship, starts at 1:02 p.m. with fellow American Cameron Young. They were seven off the lead on 144.
In all, 67 golfers made the cut to play the final 36 holes.
Those missing the cut included defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, Sweden's Ludvig Aberg, past winners Wyndham Clark and Lucas Glover, six-time major winner Phil Mickelson, Gary Woodland and Dustin Johnson, England's Justin Rose and Ireland's Shane Lowry.
Spectators were kept off the course until after the second round was complete, with the US Golf Association announcing that access to some spectator viewing areas will be limited due to heavy rain.

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South Africa's big three stood tall, breaking the Proteas' ICC tournament curse against Australia

Daily Maverick

an hour ago

Daily Maverick

South Africa's big three stood tall, breaking the Proteas' ICC tournament curse against Australia

While the whole team contributed, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada were the heroes in South Africa's (SA's) biggest-ever red-ball match. The Proteas have finally ascended the mountain of past missed opportunities to now sit on the throne of world cricket after beating reigning champions Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on day four at Lord's in England. After losing two quarterfinals, 12 semifinals and one final in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments since 1992, hope had started slipping from the hearts of South African cricket supporters. Temba means hope Overnight on day three of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between South Africa and Australia, the Proteas needed a mere 69 runs to clinch their first major global ICC trophy, with eight wickets in hand and their two best batters settled at the crease. Yet, despite the clear advantage, no one who cares about the success of the Proteas felt at ease heading into day four. The anxiety was palpable from the large South African contingency in vocal support at Lord's — cheering every run, whether edged or out of the middle, like the game was won — to the tentative batters unable to find their rhythm. Player of the match Aiden Markram, whose heroic 136 off 207 deliveries led the run chase, admitted after the match that he barely slept the previous evening — nerves trumping a sleeping tablet. But as much as SA stuttered on day four, losing three wickets while scampering to the last few runs (it should have been four after Kyle Verreynne gloved the ball behind and wasn't given out), their hope didn't falter. 'We recognise that the sun shines on us, and we have the responsibility of doing something that has never been done before,' Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said at the post-match press conference. 'I heard it's 26 or 27 years, something like that… (since SA's last ICC trophy, when they claimed the Champions Trophy in 1998. But it's not a World Championship event.) So, to be a part of that history is massive in a lot of ways. 'And we hope that this is the start of something. There could be more trophies.' Kagiso means peace If SA were to break their duck of major, global trophies, they needed their best players to stand up on the biggest occasion. First it was Kagiso Rabada with the ball, who got his name on the Lord's honour's board for a second time. His first innings five-wicket haul, under the English clouds initially, set the tone for the Proteas charge. Australia bowled out for 212 on day one, and on the ascendancy. He picked up four more in the second innings, demonstrating that despite playing in a final littered with world-class fast bowlers, he sits at the head of the table. 'A couple of days ago I went to the ICC Hall of Fame event… in a couple of years, KG will be one of those guys,' Bavuma said with a puffed-out chest, before being presented with the Test mace. 'When he came into the game, there was controversy around him. He was motivated to do what he needed to do, and like a champion, he came and did what he did.' Before the WTC final, Rabada said that he doesn't play for individual awards and that if SA won the final and he didn't take any wickets, he would be happier than if he took a five-for and they lost. At the Home of Cricket, he's had his bread buttered on both sides. Six hours after the winning runs were hit by Verreynne, Rabada came back on to the ground and kissed the Lord's pitch — emulating Makhaya Ntini's iconic image at the same ground when he took 10 wickets at the ground in 2003. Even though he was one wicket away from that feat, not achieving it has no consequence on his joy in helping the team grab the Test mace from Australia. Aiden means born of fire SA were skittled out for 138 on day two, after Australia's pace attack man-handled the Protea batters. At stumps on day one the Proteas were 43 for four. Aiden Markram was one of those four, chopping on a Mitchell Starc snorter in the first over of the innings for a duck. He came to the crease in the second innings on a pair but walked off a hero, as every person capable of standing in the Lord's ground recognised his effort, while each Australian player on the field shook his hand as he walked off — the ultimate sign of respect for an innings of the highest calibre in a pressure cooker situation. Aiden Kyle Markram, his name etched on the honour's board at Lord's for the first time. Before the WTC final, only 14 players in Test cricket history have ever scored three or more fourth-innings centuries. After the WTC final, Markram became the 15th, joining an elite list which includes Graeme Smith, Sachin Tendulkar and Donald Bradman, among others. What kept Markram going for six and a half hours in the biggest red-ball match of his career? 'I thought a lot about the T20 World Cup last night and how hopeless I felt sitting on the side after getting out,' Markram said, commenting on SA's seven-run defeat to India at the T20 World Cup final last year. 'I was like, I don't want to sit there again. So it gave me a bit of motivation to make sure I stayed at the crease if I could.' Name stamped in history Bavuma, unlike Markram and Rabada, will not have his name engraved on the Lord's board, but his name is stamped in South African cricket history forever. He came into the match as the only Protea batter in the top 15 batting rankings, and the weight of expectations on his shoulders from a run-scoring perspective. Bavuma walked in with the team on 19 for two in the first innings, his cameo of 36 off 84 deliveries taking the team to 94 for five, digging them out of what would have been an impossible hole to get a somewhat respectable score on the board. In the second innings, with a strained hamstring, he scored 66 vitally important runs in a 147 third-wicket stand with Markram. Thoughts in winning moment What was going through his mind when the winning runs were struck and he became the first South African captain to win a major ICC trophy? 'It hasn't been easy,' he said. 'It's not easy being captain of South Africa.' 'All the sacrifices, all the disappointment, at that moment really feels worth it, you know? 'When you're going through it all, giving up is always an option, it's always there, it's always there at the back of your mind. 'But something kind of holds you on. And I think for me, it was that moment there [the winning runs hit by Verreynne].' The colour of Bavuma's skin has been a topic of discussion since his Test debut in 2014, with vile, unwarranted criticism aimed at the man from Langa township in the Western Cape. Now, one of the greatest days in South African cricket history will always be associated with Bavuma — who remains undefeated as a Test captain. 'To be recognised as more than just a black African cricketer, but to be seen as someone who's done something that the country has [always] wanted,' Bavuma said. 'I'll definitely walk around with my chest out. I can only hope that it continues to inspire our country.'

The South African

5 hours ago

The South African

Piers Morgan shows love to Mzansi

Despite criticising President Cyril Ramaphosa in the past, Piers Morgan became a self-appointed South African as he cheered the Proteas on to win the World Test Championship on Saturday, 14 June. The national cricket team – led by captain Temba Bavuma – defeated Australia by five wickets in the final at Lord's in London. Ahead of the WTC, Avid cricket fan Piers Morgan surprised his X followers with a post that read: 'For the next 2 hours, I am South African. #Lords' The UK media personality added a South African flag emoji to his X post. After Mzansi's historic victory, Piers added: 'Brilliant win by South Africa… what a great Test match. Piers Morgan also praised Australia for being 'gracious losers.' Apart from the Proteas, Piers Morgan has previously congratulated the Springboks on their back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins in 2019 and 2023. When retired Bok Schalk Burger reminded him that South Africans were champions in both cricket and rugby, Piers jokingly responded: 'My liver can't handle the extra drinking that would entail. Whilst Piers Morgan has often praised South Africa's sporting abilities, he's also been quick to voice his opinions about politics. Last year, the outspoken journalist questioned why Cricket South Africa had removed U19 player David Teeger as captain for the World Cup. The move was in relation to the Jewish player's comments relating to the Israel-Gaza conflict. He posted on X: 'He tweeted: 'WTF!? Have they sacked him because he's Jewish? This is shameful moral cowardice'. Earlier this month, Piers Morgan also condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa's defence of the struggle song Kill The Boer and Julius Malema's decision to controversially sing it. Piers posted on X: 'Oh come off it, Mr President . It's literally a threat, and incitement, to kill'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

Proteas fans take over Lord's with 'Temba Bavuma' war cry [video]

The South African

6 hours ago

The South African

Proteas fans take over Lord's with 'Temba Bavuma' war cry [video]

The Proteas clinched their first major global cricket title on Saturday by defeating Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. With thousands of Saffas calling London home, it was no surprise that the Home of Cricket was teaming with passionate Proteas supporters from the moment the Test match got underway on Wednesday. At stumps on Day 3, the Proteas were in a commanding position. They were set 282 to win this World Test Championship final, which was Australia's to lose. In a match that saw a series of momentum shifts, it was South African who found their steele on the home straight thanks to strong batting partnership by opener Aiden Markram and injured captain Temba Bavuma. The pair contributed 143 runs to the cause, leaving the Proteas needing just 69 runs with eight wickets in hand. Despite the Proteas' awful record in ICC finals, the South African faithful could sense victory. Watch: South African fans outside Lord's at the end of Day 3. Video: South African Things Early on Day 4, Australian skipper Pat Cummins struck in the third over to remove Bavuma, caught behind for 66, to briefly lift Aussie hopes. The pressure intensified when Mitchell Starc bowled Tristan Stubbs, with South Africa still needing 41. It was up to Markram to continue steering the ship. The 30-year-old resumed his overnight score, maintaining his composure to put on a total of 136 and score the only century in the match. He fell just short of finishing the job himself, leaving David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne to complete the chase. Verreynne sealed the win with a crisp drive through the covers off Starc, earning South Africa the coveted mace and the title of the World's best Test cricket team. It sparked scenes of celebration as South Africa became just the third team to win the World Test Championship, following New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023. The Proteas do a victory lap while SA fans continue to sing the Bavuma war cry. Video: SA Things While Markram was awarded Man of the Match, pace bowler Kagiso Rabada was also acknowledged for his impressive nine-wicket haul. Kagiso Rabada also earned high praise. Video: South African Things. The Proteas' run chase was the joint second-highest in Test cricket at Lord's. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.