Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist fired a two-under-par 70 on Friday to seize the lead in the US$2 million LPGA Championship, the second women’s major of the season.
Nordqvist had a two-round total of eight-under-par 136, draining a 36-foot birdie putt at her final hole, the ninth, to move ahead of overnight leader Nicole Castrale.
Castrale, of the US, carded an even-par 72 and was alone in second place on 137.
PHOTO: AP
Australia’s Katherine Hull carded her second straight 69 to claim a share of third place on 138, alongside compatriot Lindsey Wright, who shot 68.
“I was just trying to go out there and have fun and enjoy the day,” said Nordqvist, who is playing her first major championship as a professional.
She made the cut at the Women’s British Open the last two years as an amateur.
“Just a lot of patience, hit fairways, hit greens,” she said of her strategy.
After birdies at 10, 15 and 17, Nordqvist took bogeys at 18 and 4 in stride.
“I knew I was hitting it solid,” said Nordqvist, who sank a nine-footer for birdie at 10, tapped in at 15 and moved two clear of the field with a 12-footer at 17. “I just tried to pace myself and forward to the next holes.”
Several of the world’s top players had a lot of work to do.
World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico carded a 69 and shared 11th place with No. 5 Jiyai Shin (68) and No. 7 Angela Stanford (71) on 141.
Defending champion and world No. 2 Yani Tseng (曾雅妮) of Taiwan notched a 71 for 144 — tied with fellow countrywoman Candie Kung (龔怡萍), US veteran Juli Inkster (71), world No. 3 Paula Creamer (70) and Michelle Wie (74).
Taiwan’s Teresa Lu (盧曉晴) carded 70 for a total of 146, while Amy Hung (洪沁慧) posted 78 for 152.
■ST JUDE CLASSIC
AFP, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
Brian Gay fired a second-round 66 on Friday to take the clubhouse lead as thunderstorms halted the US$6.1 million St Jude Classic.
With play suspended for the day, Gay was in the clubhouse at 10-under 130.
Bryce Molder fired a seven-under 63 for eight-under while Australian Robert Allenby was eight-under for the tournament through 15 holes of the second round.
The horn sounded to halt play with thunder and lightning approaching the area, and officials opted to stop for the day. The second round was to resume yesterday, with the third round to follow.
Two-time champion David Toms was seven-under through 14 holes, while Guy Boros and Wood Austin were both carded 66s to get in the clubhouse on seven-under.
Phil Mickelson was two-under for his round through 15 holes and four-under overall. The American is making his first appearance since announcing his wife, Amy, has cancer.
Mickelson, looking relaxed and even laughing now and then with playing partner Padraig Harrington, narrowly missed two birdie attempts, then saw a par putt lip out on the last hole he completed before play was halted.
He marked his tee ball in the 16th fairway, hitched a lift off the course and hopped into his car to leave before the storm hit.
Hundreds of fans followed Mickelson, who is also slated to play the US Open next week at Bethpage. Many wore pink to show support for his wife as she battles breast cancer.
“The star this week is Phil Mickelson,” said Australian John Senden, who carded a 66 for 135.
The weather delay meant John Daly faced a long wait to see if he makes the cut in his first US PGA Tour event in the wake of a suspension.
Daly’s 68 left him on the projected cut line of even par 140.
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
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
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
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care