Lopez takes lead amid hometown crowds
Since its first year on the LPGA Tour in 2007, the crowds at the NW Arkansas Championship have belonged to Stacy Lewis. But another former University of Arkansas star staked her claim as the hometown favorite Friday as Gaby Lopez shot a career- low 8under- par 63 to take the firstround lead at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark.
Like two- time tournament winner Lewis, Lopez starred as a three- time All- American for the Razorbacks before joining the LPGA Tour in 2016. Despite flashes of potential, Lopez had yet to join Lewis among the ranks of the world’s best — missing the cut in her past two tournaments and entering this week ranked 136th in the world.
For a day, at least, the Mexican standout felt right at home atop the leaderboard in her adopted home state.
“I feel like home,” Lopez said. “I feel so, so comfortable out here, because I feel that everyone and every single person out here is just rooting for us.”
Moriya Jutanugarn was a stroke back along with Minjee Lee, Catriona Matthew, Nasa Hataoka, Lizette Salas, Mirim Lee and Aditi Ashok. Six others finished at 6- under on a day when only 26 of the 144 players finished over par, thanks to some midweek rain that softened the greens and calm skies throughout the day.
Lewis, the former world No. 1 who won the event in 2007 and 2014, finished with a 66. She’s expecting her first child in early November
Defending champion So Yeon Ryu, coming off a victory Sunday in Michigan, shot a 67. PGA: Brian Harman shot a 4- under- par 66 to move to 10- under and a second- round lead in the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., thanks in part to a 10- second rule.
Harman finished a stroke ahead of Matt Jones and firstround co- leader Zach Johnson, who lost a stroke during his round of 68 when his birdie putt hung on the lip of the cup at the third hole for longer than the maximum allowed 10 seconds before falling in, giving him a par.
“After 10 seconds, the ball was moving and at that point even if the ball is moving it’s deemed to be at rest because it’s on the lip,” Johnson said. “Don’t ask me why, but that’s just the way it is.”
Jones hit 16 of 18 greens for the second straight day, following his first- round 65 with a 66.
Bryson DeChambeau ( 66), Paul Casey ( 67) and Russell Henley ( 65) were two strokes back going into the weekend.
Two- time Travelers champion Bubba Watson shot a 63 to move into contention heading into the weekend, three shots behind the leader. Rory McIlroy was at 7- under after a 69. Defending champion Jordan Spieth, tied with Johnson after an opening 63, had a 73 to drop into a tie for 25th at 4- under. Masters champion Patrick Reed shot a 67 to miss the cut.
PGA Tour Champions: Steve Stricker made himself at home at the top of the leaderboard on a rainy and breezy day at the American Family Insurance Championship in Madison, Wis. The hometown player and tournament host shot an 8under 64 at University Ridge to take a one- stroke lead over 63- year- old Brad Bryant.