Inbee Park notched six birdies in a five-under-par 67 on Friday to take a one-shot lead at the halfway mark of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the LPGA season.
Park, seeking to add a second major title to her resume, had a seven-under total of 137 for a one-shot lead over American Lizette Salas.
Salas carded a four-under 68 at Mission Hills and her total of 138 put her one stroke in front of Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall (68) and Italian Giulia Sergas (59).
Photo: Reuters
Park started the day two shots off the overnight lead shared by England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff, South Korean Choi Na-yeon and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen.
Birdies at the third, fifth and ninth saw her take sole possession of the lead, and she put together a burst of three birdies in a row from the 11th before a bogey at 14 slowed her a bit.
“Obviously [I] putted really good out there, and especially on the back nine,” said Park, who won the 2008 Women’s US Open. “The wind picked up so it was tough out there on the back nine.”
“I’ve played this golf course about eight years in my career and never really had a chance on the weekend, so I’m happy to be in the mix,” Park said.
Salas was one-under for her round through nine, but made three birdies in five holes coming in to move within a stroke of Park.
She could not get any closer, however, finishing with three straight pars.
“It’s something that I’ve kind of trained my mind in the last six months, playing solid golf and being in contention last week and the week before, so I’m just trying to get used to it as fast as I can,” Salas said.
Ewart Shadoff was the lone member of the first round’s leading trio who was not over par for the day.
She had two birdies and two bogeys in her even-par 72.
Choi endured a difficult day, her three birdies countered by four bogeys and a double-bogey six at the par-four sixth hole in a three-over 75
Pettersen was also three-over for the day, with four bogeys and a birdie.
Defending champion Yoo Sun-young carded a 76 on Friday and missed the cut with a 36-hole total of 153.
American Stacy Lewis, playing her first major since taking over the world No. 1 ranking from Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, carded a 71 for an even-par total of 144.
Tseng’s 75 dropped her to a tie for 52nd on 147, the same score as compatriot Candie Kung, who went round in 72.
New Zealand teen Lydia Ko had three bogeys and one birdie in a 74 for 146.
Additional reporting by staff writer
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely