World No. 1 Yani Tseng fired a second consecutive six-under 66 on Saturday to seize a one-stroke lead over Mindy Kim after the third round of the LPGA State Farm Classic.
Taiwan’s Tseng opened with a birdie and closed with birdies on four of the last seven holes without suffering a bogey to stand on 17-under 199 after 54 holes, Kim of the US one back after a 69.
“I feel very excited,” Tseng said. “I have a lot of energy right now, so I can’t wait to go out there tomorrow and make lots of birdies, just keep focused and try to not put too much pressure on myself, not think too much and just do the same as today. I think it will be good.”
Photo: AFP
China’s Feng Shanshan and Brittany Lincicome of the US shared third on 203, with Americans Wendy Ward and Juli Inkster another stroke adrift and Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson, Paula Creamer of the US and South Korea’s Pak Se-ri on 205. Taiwan’s Amy Hung carded a 69 to move up into a tie for 47th place on 212.
Tseng birdied the front nine’s par-fives, the first and sixth holes, then birdied the par-four 12th and the par-five 13th. She completed a birdie sweep of the par-fives at the 16th and added another at the par-three 17th to share the lead.
“Today was a little tough because the wind was different than the last two days and some of the par-fives I couldn’t reach,” Tseng said. “I wanted to just be patient every hole. Some of the holes you couldn’t get close. Just wanted to hit the fairway and green, and make two putts. I felt really patient. All the par-fives I made birdies.”
Kim, who led after 36 holes, finished with a bogey to leave Tseng alone at the top.
“You need to be aggressive,” Tseng said. “Tomorrow, my goal is just having fun and play one shot at a time.”
The tension of sleeping on the lead hit Kim as she started the third round.
“I was pretty nervous when I teed up, so my ball wasn’t going so straight,” Kim said. “I managed to get in a couple of birdies and my round kind of turned into a good round.”
Kim started the back nine with three birdies in a row, but she had six birdies and three bogeys on the day.
“I was nervous. I’m human,” Kim said. “It happens to all players who are leading the tournament. I’m just happy that I’m in this position and have a chance to win.”
However, Tseng is a major hurdle for Kim to overcome if she wants to claim her first LPGA victory.
“She’s the No. 1 golfer in the world right now. She’s hot right now,” Kim said. “I’m just happy that I’ll get a chance to play with her. I was really nervous, but I just have to treat it like it’s the same, like a Thursday.”
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