Southern Hills Diary

Today's other stories in brief

Woody wouldn't even touch frogs legs

When Woody Austin snap-hooked his drive on the 13th hole yesterday, his ball landed in a creek he didn't even know existed.

However, the American got an even bigger surprise when he found the ball. It was lying next to a dead frog.

"It was right beside a huge dead frog that was lying upside down in the creek," said Austin, whose reaction was to reach for his sandwedge and pull the ball clear of the unfortunate creature.

"I didn't want to touch him, that's for sure," said Austin, who shot a second-round 70 for a midway total of 138, two under, that put him in the thick of contention going into the weekend.

Austin is one of the most unconventional golfers on tour. Although he had the right to play in last month's British Open, he decided that it didn't fit into his hectic schedule and passed up the chance to play.

"It's a rarity when Tiger plays more than two weeks in a row . . . if I'd gone to the British Open, that would have been nine weeks in a row for me after a 15-hour flight.

"I'd have gotten over there Monday and not been able to play a practice round until Tuesday afternoon. I chose not to play nine weeks in a row and I'm getting lambasted because it was the British Open. It had nothing to do with it being the British Open. It had to do with the fact that I was dead tired. I didn't want to go over there and make a fool of myself."

A good night's rest good for Rose

Justin Rose wasn't best pleased with a second round 73 that left him on the 143 mark.

"It's amazing how 12 hours of sleep can change the feel so much," said Rose, who has gone 5th-10th-12th in the season's three opening majors.

"I know what I have to do. Basically, I have got to get my rhythm back. I was a bit quick and jumpy today, a bit out of sorts."

A long way for nothing

US Tour player Bob Estes made a futile trip to Southern Hills, in the hope that he would get a place in the field. Estes was third alternate on Wednesday but saw a report on television that suggested - incorrectly - that Brian Gay was in the starting field, which would have moved Estes up to second reserve.

That was enough for him to head to Tulsa in what turned out to be a fruitless move in his attempt to make it a 10th straight appearance in the US PGA.

At least it was a shorter trip than the last time Estes showed up as an alternate at a major. In 2005, he flew from Texas to Scotland for the British Open at St Andrews . . . and didn't get in.

Tiger keeps an eye on Becks

Tiger Woods would not have it that he is, as the American magazines are saying here, the most influential athlete in the world at the moment. To him, the suggestion is "funny" in the light of David Beckham's arrival to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"I don't see how Beckham didn't beat me," he said. "As far as global figures go, he's probably far more global than I am. You know, golf is not played all around the world."