■GOLF
Nitties, Duke lead in Texas
Fun-loving US PGA Tour rookie James Nitties finished with four consecutive birdies for a 5-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead with Ken Duke in the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas, on Thursday. On his tour bio, Nitties lists his special interests as clubbing, girls and movies, but the 26-year-old Australian said he’s trying to stay focused on a string of tournaments that could culminate with a spot in the US Open. Duke, the other surprise at the top of the leaderboard, snapped a streak of 11 consecutive rounds in the 70s to share the first-round lead for only the second time in his 118 career starts. His putt at No. 18 stopped 3 inches from the hole, or he could have had another birdie and the lead alone.
■GOLF
Horsey shares lead
Tour rookie David Horsey, Anthony Wall and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano shot five-under 67s to share the lead in the BMW PGA Championship in Virginia Water, England, on Thursday after some big names faltered early in the first round. Both Englishmen birdied four holes on the back nine, while Fernandez-Castano finished birdie-eagle. Fourth-ranked Henrik Stenson, winner of the prestigious Players Championship at Sawgrass early this month, shot a 6-over 78.
■GOLF
Park, Icher lead at Corning
Karine Icher of France birdied her final hole to tie Park Hee-young of South Korea at 8-under 64 for the first-round lead at the Corning Classic in Corning, New York, on Thursday. Park had eight one-putt birdies, only one from more than 10 feet, and matched her career low round on the forgiving Corning Country Club course with a six-footer at No. 18. Park was in uncharted territory and chose not to look at the leaderboard, maybe because all but two of the top 30 money leaders on tour were playing the 31st and final edition of the event. “This is my first time leading the first round,” said Park, who tied for sixth at last week’s Sybase Classic. “So tomorrow I will do the same, keep working with my caddie, just focus the mind, and just play. I have to stay aggressive.”
■CYCLING
Menchov takes Giro lead
Russia’s Denis Menchov blew away the field in Thursday’s individual time-trial to take the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia and wrestle the leader’s pink jersey from Italian Danilo Di Luca. Rabobank rider Menchov, twice Tour of Spain winner, completed a grueling 60.6km up-and-down course in the Cinque Terre region on Italy’s northeast coast in 1 hour, 34 minutes and 29 seconds. LPR’s Di Luca, who had worn the pink jersey for seven stages, came in 1:54 behind in sixth place.
■CYCLING
Valverde leads in Catalunya
Spaniard Julian Sanchez snatched the first victory of his career in the toughest stage of the Tour of Catalunya on Thursday. The 29-year-old Contentpolis-Ampo pro reached stage four’s summit finish at Vallnord-Pal ski station in Andorra six seconds ahead of Irishman Dan Martin. Overall leader Spaniard Alejandro Valverde was eight seconds back in third. Part of a day-long break on the 166km stage over three Pyrenean mountain passes, Sanchez attacked 1km before the last climb for a lone win.
Overall leader Valverde suffered badly when his Irish rival Dan Martin attacked six kilometres from the finish, but managed to limit the gaps. The Tour of Catalunya finishes tomorrow in Montmelo.
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