Lindblad sets a U.S. Women's Open record

Ingrid Lindblad decided months ago that she wanted to stay in college instead of turning professional.

That might be a financial decision she comes to regret.

The 22-year-old Swede shot the lowest round by an amateur in the 77-year history of the U.S. Women's Open, a 6-under 65 that left her a shot behind firstround leader Mina Harigae at Southern Pines, N.C. on Thursday.

Because she's an amateur, Lindblad wouldn't be able to collect the record $1.8 million first-place prize if she wins. She would have had to declare as a professional before the tournament began.

When asked if, in hindsight, that was a mistake, the LSU junior known to her friends as “Iggy” paused and said with a smile, “I'm going to stay in college for like another year or so.

“But when you say it, yeah ... it would have been fun to win a little bit of money,” she said.

She has a 54 holes to navigate, but Lindblad has a chance to become only the second amateur to win the U.S. Women's Open. The other was Catherine Lacoste in 1967.

Lindblad didn't seem overwhelmed at the opportunity.

“Yeah, it's possible,” she said.

Three amateurs had previously shot 66 — Carol Semple Thompson in 1994, Brittany Lincicome in 2004 and Gina Kim in 2019.

Lindblad tied for 30th at 6-over 292 in her only other U.S. Women's Open appearance in 2020.

Lindblad, who needed just 26 putts, will have to contend with what is shaping up to be a strong leaderboard.

Three-time major winner Anna Nordqvist, also from

Sweden, and 2021 Evian Championship champion Minjee Lee of Australia were at 67 with American Ryann O'Toole.

YOUNG STAYS HOT, SHARES EARLY PGA LEAD AT MEMORIAL >> In his first start since challenging at the PGA Championship, Cameron Young finished with two birdies over his last three holes for a 5-under 67 on rain-softened Muirfield Village, where he's part of a sixway tie for the lead.

Even with slightly softer greens, the 67 was the highest score to lead after the first round of the Memorial since 2004. And it was the second straight week on the PGA Tour of a big logjam at the top — eight were tied after one round at Colonial.

Joining Young were Luke List, Cameron Smith and K.H. Lee from the morning wave, and Mackenzie Hughes and Davis Riley each shot 67 in the afternoon.

San Francisco's Will Zalatoris, who lost in the PGA Championship playoff to Justin Thomas, had eight birdies in his round of 68. Ex-Cal standout Collin Morikawa had two birdies for a 71.

WNBA

GRINER RECEIVING, ANSWERING PLAYERS' EMAILS >> Brittney Griner can't play with her WNBA colleagues. She can't call them, either. But she can write.

In one small bit of normalcy, Griner has been able to receive emails and letters from WNBA players during her detainment in Russia. Hundreds of emails have been sent by players to an account Griner's agent set up to allow them to communicate with her.

It's not easy: The emails are printed out and delivered sporadically in bunches to Griner by her lawyer after they are vetted by Russian

officials. Griner doesn't have access to the email account; she'll either write a response on paper and her lawyers will take a photo of it or she'll dictate a response if she doesn't have any paper.

Griner's been detained 105 days after vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis were allegedly in her luggage at an airport near Moscow.

NFL EX-COWBOYS RUNNING BARBER DEAD AT 38 >>

Marion Barber III, the former Dallas Cowboys running back who is fourth in franchise history with 47 rushing touchdowns, has died, the team said. He was 38.

Barber played a final season with Chicago in 2011 after spending his first six years with the Cowboys. He had issues with mental health after his career.

Police in the Dallas suburb of Frisco said Wednesday they made a welfare check at an apartment “believed to be leased” by Barber and were investigating an unattended death there.

FITZPATRICK RETIRES AFTER 17 SEASONS >> Journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is set to call it a career after 17 NFL seasons.

Fitzpatrick, 39, has yet to make a formal announcement, however ESPN confirmed the news after former Buffalo Bills teammate Fred Jackson shared a screenshot of a text massage from the quarterback.

Multiple media outlets reported Fitzpatrick is in talks with Amazon for the upcoming NFL season.

NHL FLAMES' SUTTER WINS COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD >>

Darryl Sutter of the Calgary Flames has won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year.

The league announced the honor prior to Game 2 of the Western Conference final between Colorado and Edmonton.

Interim Florida Panthers coach Andrew Brunette and Gerard Gallant of the New York Rangers were the other finalists.

The 63-year-old Sutter, a onetime head coach of the Sharks, coached the Flames to a Pacific Division championship with the sixth-most points in the league. Calgary reached the second round of the playoffs before losing to the rival Oilers.

College basketball GONZAGA ADDS ONE OF NATION'S TOP TRANSFERS >>

Malachi Smith, one of the top players available in the transfer portal, signed with Gonzaga.

Smith's decision followed news this week that Gonzaga starters Drew Timme, Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton have all decided to return to play another season with the Zags.

Smith was the Southern Conference player of the year and averaged 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.7 steals per game last year at Chattanooga.

The 6-foot-4 guard will be a junior next season.

Smith joins a Bulldogs squad that advanced to its seventh straight Sweet 16 last season, the longest active streak in the nation.

Soccer U.S. BEATS MOROCCO 3-0 IN WORLD CUP WARMUP >>

Brenden Aaronson and Tim Weah scored midway through the first half, Haji Wright converted a second-half penalty kick in his international debut and the United States beat Morocco 3-0 in Cincinnati late Wednesday night in the first of four World Cup warmup matches in June.