South Korea’s Kim In-kyung vaulted into a share of the lead with a sizzling eight-under 64 in Thursday’s second round of the Lotte Championship.
Kim rolled in nine birdies and had just one bogey as she rocketed from a tie for 48th after the first round to become the coleader with Thai star Ariya Jutanugarn when play was suspended for the day.
She said strong putting enabled her to reach a nine-under 135 total, which moved her into a tie with Ariya, who fired a six-under 66.
“I had a great putting day,” 28-year-old Kim said. “Yesterday I hit the ball pretty well, but just didn’t make as many putts.”
“Today, the putts were dropping. I had some good shots, but I kind of scrambled very well,” she added.
For the second straight day, rain at the Ko Olina Golf Club caused a lengthy delay before play was suspended with 15 players still on the course.
Jang Su-yeon was also at nine-under through 16 holes when the suspension of play was announced. She was scheduled to finish her second round yesterday morning.
Canada’s Alena Sharp, South Korea’s Lee Mi-hyang and Stacy Lewis of the US are one shot back of the coleaders at eight-under 136.
Ariya fired a bogey-free 66 as she capped her round with three-straight birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes.
One of the hottest players on the tour over the past year, Ariya is still looking for her first win of this year after a couple of runner-up finishes.
Thailand’s Nontaya Srisawang was tied for eighth just two shots back after shooting a five-under 67.
Taiwan’s Chien Pei-yun carded an even-par 72 to finish the round tied for 40th, while Min Lee’s one-over 73 left her in a tie for 76th, Cheng Ssu-chia was tied for 118th on a two-round five-over total and Hsu Wei-ling carded a seven-over 79 to tie for 135th.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
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
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just