USPGA TEXAS OPEN
Curtis stretches lead
Former Open winner Ben Curtis managed to overcome a pair of double bogeys in the third round of the PGA Tour’s Texas Open to stretch his lead to three shots on Saturday. Curtis, who is chasing his fourth USPGA title, fired a one-over 73 for a nine-under 207 total on the TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course. Matt Every was alone in second after a one-over 73, as the American seeks his first Tour win. South Koreans Noh Seung-yul (68) and Charlie Wi (71) were tied for third with the US’ John Huh. Huh shot a five-under 67, which tied for the low round of the day with Matt Kuchar, on a day when high winds slowed the pace of play and saw just 19 of the 81 golfers who made the cut break par. Curtis had two double bogeys on the front nine, including one on the par-five eighth, where his ball landed on another fairway. He battled back with three birdies on the back. Every made three bogeys, but was saved by a couple of birdies, including a 10-footer after a nice tee shot on the par-three third hole.
LPGA LOTTE
Miyazato wins in Hawaii
Japan’s Ai Miyazato claimed her eighth career LPGA title on Saturday by shooting a two-under 70 in the final round of the inaugural LPGA LOTTE Championship. The 26-year-old Miyazato finished with a 12-under 276 total for a four-stroke victory at the US$1.7 million tournament. Miyazato had taken a three-shot lead into the final round, and had four birdies and two bogeys on Saturday as windy conditions again made things difficult on the par-72 Ko Olina course. Her victory comes after two runner-up finishes to world No. 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan this season, in Thailand and Phoenix, Arizona. Tseng, winner of three titles this year, carded a 74 that left her tied for 10th on four-under — her seventh straight top-10 finish this year. South Korea’s Meena Lee was tied for the lead after a birdie at the 15th, but she took a double-bogey six at the par-four 18th to complete a two-under 70 for a share of second place, along with Spain’s Azahara Munoz. Munoz carded a 71 to join Lee on eight-under 280. Taiwan’s Candie Kung shot a last-round 70 to finish at two-under and in a shared eighth place.
CHINA OPEN
Grace wins by three shots
Branden Grace of South Africa shot a final-round three-under 69 yesterday to win the China Open by three shots. The 23-year-old Grace started the round with a three-shot lead over last year’s winner, Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, and maintained that lead to finish with a 21-under 267. Colsaerts sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 9th to briefly close to within two shots. Colsaerts also closed with a 69 to finish second at 18-under. England’s Richard Finch was third a shot further back after carding a closing 66.
INDONESIAN MASTERS
Westwood takes lead
Third-ranked Lee Westwood of England completed his delayed third round yesterday with a seven-under 65 to take an imposing eight-shot lead. The English defending champion had seven birdies and two bogeys among the remaining 14 holes of his third round for an 18-under 198 at the Royal Jakarta Golf Club. South Korean Lee Sung shot five birdies to stay second with a 10-under 206. Former top-ranked Asian Tour player Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Kieran Pratt of Australia and two-time winner Gaganjeet Bhullar of India were tied at 9-under 207 in third. Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang carded a 71, Hsu Mong-nan shot 72 and Lu Wei-chih 73, while Chiang Chen-chih carded a 74.
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
Caitlin Clark on Thursday walked into her new home arena with No. 22 shirts and jerseys peppered from floor to ceiling. She left as a first-time WNBA winner. A late-arriving, but louder-than-usual crowd roared during her official introduction to Fever fans and again when Clark made her first basket, a layup with 7 minutes left in the first quarter. The cheers grew when she completed a three-point play a few minutes later and hit a crescendo when she finally made a long three-pointer from the edge of the fieldhouse logo late in the third quarter. Clark successfully navigated the city’s most anticipated rookie
TO REAL MADRID? Kylian Mbappe informed PSG privately in February of his intention to depart when his contract expires, but this was the first time he acknowledged it publicly French soccer player Kylian Mbappe on Friday confirmed that he is to leave French champions Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, with Real Madrid widely expected to be his next destination. The announcement brings an end to a prolific association with his hometown team, which began when he signed from AS Monaco in 2017 in a deal worth 180 million euros (US$194 million). “I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks,” Mbappe, 25, said in a video
Rafael Nadal on Saturday said that he is leaning toward playing at the French Open despite his second-round elimination in Rome, as Novak Djokovic laughed off being hit by a bottle which briefly cast doubt on his continued participation. Clay-court icon Nadal had previously said that he would only play at the French Open, where he has won a record 14 titles, if he feels competitive after a raft of injury problems over the past two years. And the manner of his elimination in his first ever encounter with Hubert Hurkacz — winner in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 — seemed a step