Harrington grabs Scottish Open lead
IRVINE, Scotland: Ireland’s Padraig Harrington put aside a season marred by injury to muscle his way into a three-shot clubhouse lead with a round of 68 on day two of the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links on Friday.
The 45-year-old will return to Royal Birkdale next week for the British Open, having won his second major title the last time the Southport course hosted the championship in 2008.
Harrington did not drop a shot in managing four birdies, moving to nine under par and clear of American Matt Kuchar.
The three-time major winner’s effort is his lowest opening 36-hole tally since last October when he was 13 under par en route to a 15th Tour win at the Portugal Masters.
Despite undergoing an operation earlier this year on a neck injury he incurred during the Rio Olympics last October and also the scare of a freak elbow injury last month, Harrington says he is not a bit surprised to find himself in contention.
“No, I am not surprised at all to be in this position after what has happened in my season this year,” he said.
“Not even close to being surprised as I know this will happen pretty regularly though I cannot do it on demand so I cannot tell you if it will happen next week or the week after but it will happen.
“It was very much like my win last year in Portugal and then winning the Honda Classic earlier the year before, I will throw in these efforts out-ofthe-blue.
“So, I will have tournaments like this where I throw in a few good rounds and get myself into the lead, and who knows what will happen these next two days, BEDMINSTER, New Jersey: Shanshan Feng had her best round in the US Women’s Open, and the firstround lead.
Afternoon rain and lightning forced officials to suspend play for more than two hours Thursday in the biggest event in women’s golf, and play was stopped because of darkness with 39 players still on the course.
The weather was the only hitch for the players and the USGA, which took a lot of criticism for failing to move the $5 million event to another course after comments by President Donald Trump about women.
Despite fears of protests, Day 1 was uneventful. There were no demonstrators. The golf was excellent and Feng was outstanding, shooting a 6-under 66 in a tournament in which she has rarely played well in her 10 seasons as a professional in the United States. It marked the first time the 27-year-old from China broke 70 in 42 Open rounds.
Amy Yang of South Korea, who has had two seconds, a third and a fourth in this event in the last five years, was a shot behind.
Lydia Ko of New Zealand played in the same threesome with Feng and was tied for third at 68 with top-ranked So Yeon Ryu of South Korea.
Carlota Ciganda also was 4 under with a hole left. She would have to eagle the par-5 18th to get a share of the lead.
Former Open winner Cristie Kerr, who played with back spasms, and Megan Khang were the best US finishers at 69. but it is not a surprise to me.
“It is just part of the sequence of the ups and downs, and I am just waiting patiently for the ups.”
And it is not lost on Harrington that next week he will return to the scene of his second British Open triumph.
“Who knows what will happen now over the weekend as I may have blown it all come
Feng, who has never finished better than fourth in the Open (2012), started her round on the 10th hole and played the back side in 5 under, rolling in five birdies. She added another at No. 1 and then parred her last eight holes.
“I started the round very great,” said Feng, who lipped out on two birdie putts on her final nine. “I mean I had three birdies in the first four holes and then after that I mean I just felt so comfortable Sunday night as that it is the nature of the game and maybe I am hitting good form a week too early,” he said.
“But it would be a nice buzz going to Royal Birkdale next week as it would be great to win another major, and if I did win next week I would sit here and tell you all the reasons why it will make a difference to me.”
Kuchar had eagled his final hole on day one, and the world number 19 went out on day two to birdie his opening two holes in a round of 70 and be second on six under.
“Overnight momentum can keep going,” said Kuchar.
“Certainly, it was a great way to finish last night. It’s a rare thing to finish with an eagle. It’s a highlight to finish with a birdie, and if you get an eagle, it’s about everything.”
Feng had to push it to get to Trump National. She played in a tournament in China that was run by her sponsor last week and her flight to Beijing was delayed. She did not arrive in New Jersey until around noon Monday, and did more sleeping than playing over the next three days.
Everything worked out Thursday.
“I just had a great day so hopefully the next great. Come out, got off to a great start.
“So, it was a great way to get my round going.”
Overnight leader Mikko Ilonen struggled in shooting a two-over 74 and drop back to five under and tied with England’s David Horsey, who capped his round with a holein-one at the par-three 11th. three days that I can perform well also and let’s see what happens,” said Feng, who has a win and three other top-10 finishes this season.
Feng was the hottest player on the tour at the end of last year, winning her last two starts and finishing eighth or better in her final seven events. She won the major LPGA Championship in 2012 for the first of her seven LPGA Tour titles.
Yang had six birdies and a bogey in her round. She took advantage of the back nine, playing it in 4 under.
The 27-year-old who now calls Orlando, Florida, home, refused to say this would be the year she won the Open.
“I’ll keep trying,” she said. “I’m playing good, you know, played good lately and I’m hitting the ball solid and making some putts, you know. I’m going to do same things, you know, next three days and see what happened.”
Ko, who had the lead going into the final round last year, was tied with Feng at 6 under after 13 holes. She bogeyed her 14th and then the last.
Ryu, the only two-time winner on the tour this year, had four birdies. Kerr had five birdies and two bogeys.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson, ranked No. 8, and In Gee Chun, who won this event two years ago, were in a group at 70, one shot ahead of No. 3 Lexi Thompson and former No. 1 Stacy Lewis.
Amateur Rachel Heck, the 15-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee, who is the youngster player in the field, also was at 3 under with five holes to play. both Walker and Mendy it would take his close-season spending to over £168 million. Monaco’s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva and Benfica goalkeeper Ederson joined last month for a total of £78 million.
Guardiola has still to resolve the future of England goalkeeper Joe Hart, although it looks like he will join West Ham on loan with City paying a substantial amount of his wages.
Former French international Samir Nasri is another player Guardiola is looking to offload after sending the 30-year-old out on loan to Spanish side Sevilla last season.