Feng rules Women’s Open
Has 2-stroke lead at Trump National
By The Associated Press
Shanshan Feng opened a two-shot lead Friday after two rounds of a U.S. Women’s Open that got its first visit from a sitting president.
Fresh from a Bastille Day celebration in Paris, President Donald Trump pulled into his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., around 3:40 p.m., visited his president’s box next to the 14th green less than two hours later and played to the crowd, waving at the fans, giving them the thumbs up and pumping his fist.
That’s what a president can do for crowds not used to being within a 100 yards of one. Many critics of the president had hoped he would stay away from the $5 million tournament because of his comments about women and the fear that he would steal the spotlight.
Only three sitting presidents have attended USGA events with Warren G. Harding (1921) and Bill Clinton (1997) going to the U.S. Open.
Feng, 27, of China, was the star on the course for the second day in a row. She shot a 2-under 70 and had a 36-hole total of 8-under 136 on the 6,732-yard course that played even longer because of rain over the past two days.
Amy Yang (71) of South Korea was in second. Yang has four top-five finishes in this event in the past five years.
Other tournaments
Senior Players Championship: Bernhard Langer made five birdies on the back nine to take a two-shot lead over Corey Pavin before rain suspended play late in the second round in Owings Mills, Md. Langer, 59, was 6-under par through 16 holes and 13 under for the tournament. The three-time defending champion had his only bogey of the day on No. 1, a 360yard par 4. Pavin was the clubhouse leader after shooting a 68.
John Deere Classic: Patrick Rodgers shot a 7-under 64 to take a two-shot lead after the second round in Silvis, Ill. Rodgers had eight birdies and a bogey to finish at 13-under 129 at TPC Deere Run. Finishing on the front nine, he had five birdies in a seven-hole stretch before closing with a bogey on the par-4 ninth. Bryson DeChambeau was second after a 65.
Scottish Open: Rory McIlroy’s preparations for next week’s British Open took another hit when the world No. 4 failed to make the weekend in Irvine, Scotland, his third missed cut in his past four events. McIlroy was 10 strokes off a three-way lead held by Padraig Harrington (68), Callum Shinkwin (68) and Alexander Knappe (65)
Elsewhere
Hootie Johnson, a South Carolina banker and former Augusta National chairman who stubbornly stood his ground amid pressure for the club to invite female members, died Friday. He was 86. Obituary, Page B-3.