Defending champion Lorena Ochoa fired her second straight eight-under 65 on Friday to take a three-shot lead midway through the USLPGA Tour’s Corona Championship.
The world No. 1 from Mexico notched her second bogey-free effort in as many days for a halfway total of 130 that put her in a good position to defend the title she won last year.
Norway’s Suzann Pettersen posted a 64 for 133.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Ochoa’s round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-five eighth and also included six birdies.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, ranked No. 2 in the world, fired a 66 and South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon a 69 to lie five strokes back on 11-under 135.
It was a further stroke back to American Kristy McPherson (68).
American Michelle Wie (71) was on nine-under 137, along with Sarah Lee (70), Karrie Webb (67), Irene Cho (67) and Brittany Lang (68).
American Brittany Lincicome, coming off a major victory in the Kraft Nabisco on April 5, followed her opening 75 with a 73 to miss the cut.
Taiwan’s Teresa Lu shot a 71 to reach the halfway stage tied 40th on three-under, while compatriot Amy Hung missed the cut.
■ZURICH CLASSIC
AFP, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Jerry Kelly, who is seeking to end a seven-year victory drought, fired a six-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Friday.
Kelly rolled in seven birdies and had one bogey as he moved to 10-under 134.
He had a one-shot lead on fellow Americans Troy Matteson (64) and Charley Hoffman (66), while first-round leader Charlie Wi of South Korea shot two-under 70 and was tied with five others for third.
England’s Ian Poulter and Rory Sabbatini of South Africa also continued to play well. They were three shots adrift of Kelly after Poulter shot a 66 on Friday and Sabbatini a 67.
Former champion Andres Romero of Argentina was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just