Taylor muscles his way into contention at ACC

By Steve Yingling

Nevada Appeal News Service

STATELINE " Lawrence Taylor should have worn his old No. 56 New York Giants uniform on Saturday.

Taylor admittedly played the second round of the American Century Championship like he did as a linebacker during his heyday in the NFL " aggressive and fearless.

The Hall of Famer shot a career-best 72 in the ACC to vault himself into title contention. Taylor's 21-point round pushed his total to plus-39 points, six behind leader Rick Rhoden.

"I've always played golf like I played football. I'm all out," he said. "If there's trees in the way, people in the way, houses in the way, I don't care, I'm still hitting it."

Taylor proved this aggressive approach on the final hole after his tee shot landed right of the cart path. With a smattering of pines and a large gallery in front of his ball, Taylor decided to go for the green on the par-5 hole.

He executed the shot over the first cluster of pines, but his ball became imprisoned by three trees about 100 yards from the green.

However, Taylor chipped back into the fairway, wedged onto the front of the green and sank a 20-foot uphill putt for par to close out his round.

"I was definitely looking at bogey," Taylor said. "The game of golf is a funny game. You can be three feet from the cup and not even touch the hole. And then there you go, 20, 30 feet, whatever it is, and you drain the putt. That's why it's so fun to play."

His round included three birdies and three bogeys. Playing partner Jack Wagner came away impressed with Taylor's effort.

"We haven't played together in 10-12 years, and he's a heck of a player now," Wagner said. "He's very unconventional, a big, muscular guy who doesn't turn a whole lot. He just kind of pulls it back with his shoulders and rips it. If he putts well, he can score."

Taylor finished in a tie for 36th place tie last year as he returned to the event for the first time since 1995. He didn't consider himself a title contender earlier in the week, but now that Taylor's in the hunt for the $125,000 first prize, he thinks he has a chance of winning.

"My goal is always to finish in the top 10," he said. "Can I win it? There's a lot of good players out there, but, hey, right now I have a chance. I have a good chance."

If he doesn't win, Taylor expects to collect more than his share of sidebets made with other celebrities.

"I can't wait. As soon as this is over, I can go collect my money," he said. "I have more money out there bet than the tournament's worth."