GOLF ROUNDUP

PGA

Akshay Bhatia used two late birdies to shoot a second-round 70 on Friday, giving him a healthy lead heading into the weekend at the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.

Bhatia is at 11-under 133 after firing a 63 in the opening round. He has a five-shot lead after Denny McCarthy bogeyed the par-5 18th to drop into a tie for second at 6 under with Russell Henley (69) and Brendon Todd (72).

Bhatia, 22, could qualify for his first major if he turns in a strong weekend. The Texas Open champion will receive the final berth into next week’s Masters.

Rory McIlroy is alone in fifth at 5 under after a 70 (three birdies, one bogey). The World No. 2 from Northern Ireland is tuning up before Augusta, where he will try to complete the career Grand Slam and end a nearly 10year major championship drought.

LIV

Sergio Garcia shot a bogey-free, 5-under 67 to grab a share of the lead at LIV Golf Miami after the first round Friday at Trump National Doral.

Garcia, Talor Gooch and Peter Uihlein head into the weekend with a one-shot lead on four players at 4-under 68 — Bubba Watson, Matthew Wolff, South Africa’s Dean Burmester and Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent.

LPGA

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda shot a bogey-free, 5-under-par 67 on Thursday to tie for the lead after the second round of the T-Mobile Match Play in Las Vegas.

First-round leader Sei Young Kim of South Korea stumbled to a 2-over 74 on Thursday at Shadow Creek Golf Course but still shares the lead at 4-under 140. Also tied for the lead are Angel Yin (68 on Thursday) and Rose Zhang (73).