Watson tee-shot strikes fan on head

MASTERS champion Bubba Watson has struck one of his fans in the head with a hooked drive.

Watson’s tee shot on the second hole during last night’s second round of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans drew blood from the back of Radd Leonard’s head.

Leonard, who was reached quickly by medics, says he is fine and found it incredible that he was hit by the player he came to see. The 52-year-old motorcycle shop owner from Baton Rouge was glad he was able to help Watson back into the fairway, where the ball landed after striking him. Leonard declined to go to first aid and remained on the course with his blood-stained shirt and a white wrap around his head. “I saw it coming and it looked like it was hooking right at me. I wanted to see that big hook, you know, and I got to see it,” Leonard said. “I turned and ducked and it still hit me. It gave him a good bounce, anyway.”

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Watson walked over to Leonard, shook his hand and gave him a signed golf glove.

Meanwhile, Luke Donald’s quest to regain the world No1 spot was boosted by an impressive seven-under-par second round.

The 34-year-old needs to finish in the top seven to move back to the top ranking, and that looked unlikely after a one-over-par 73 on Thursday left him eight adrift of the leaders. However, he stormed back into contention, kicking off with a birdie at his opening hole – the 10th – before adding four further birdies and an eagle two at the par-four first to claim a share of 12th place.

Scotland’s Russell Knox was 11 under overall, one shot behind clubhouse leader Jason Dufner with a shot to play.

Australian Greg Chalmers and South African Ernie Els were in a tie for third at 10 under after a 64 and a 66 respectively. Joint first-round leader Ken Duke was one under par through seven holes, while fellow opening-round leader Cameron Tringale made a bad start as he bogeyed the 10th, his first hole.

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