Leishman fires 61 at Byron Nelson
Marc Leishman shot a 10-under 61 on the new links- style Trinity Forest course to take the firstround lead Thursday in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
Jordan Spieth was eight shots back in his hometown event, which returned to Dallas after 35 years at the TPC Four Seasons in suburban Irving. Defending champion Billy Horschel shot 68. CROWDED LEADER BOARD AT LPGA TOURNEY » Annie Park turned a blistering stretch on the back nine into a mistake-free 6-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead on a crowded leader board at the Kingsmill Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jessica Korda, Azahara Munoz, In Gee Chun and Jaye Marie Green also shot 65. JIMENEZ LEADS PGA CHAMPIONS » Miguel Angel Jimenez matched the course record with an 8-under 64 to take the firstround lead in the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, Alabama, the first of the PGA Tour Champions’ five major championships. Jimenez led by two strokes.
Gambling
NCAA SOFTENS ON GAMBLING » The NCAA is opening a door for states with legalized sports gambling to host NCAA championship events. The governing body for college sports on Thursday announced a “temporary” lifting of a ban that prevented events such as college basketball’s NCAA tournament from being hosted in states that accept wagers on single games.
Hockey
KANE CARRIES U.S. TO SEMIFINALS AT WORLDS » Captain Patrick Kane scored two goals to lift the United States to a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals of the ice hockey world championship, while Canada beat Russia 5- 4 in overtime in Herning, Denmark. The U. S. will play defending champion Sweden or Lat- via on Saturday.
NFL
BRONCOS SIGN QB » The Denver Broncos signed undrafted free-agent quarterback Nick Stevens of Colorado State, three weeks after Elway said he wouldn’t bring in a fourth passer for offseason workouts.
Cycling
BENNETT WINS GIRO D’ITALIA STAGE 12 » Sam Bennett of Ireland pulled off a superb final attack to win the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia as Simon Yates remained in the overall lead.
Tennis
NADAL REDEEMS HIMSELF IN ROME » Seven- time champion Rafael Nadal methodically wore down Denis Shapovalov in a 6- 4, 6-1 win to reach the Italian Open quarterfinals and gain a measure of revenge against the Canadian teenager in Rome. Shapovalov, who is ranked a career-high No. 29 this week, stunned Nadal in the third round in Montreal last year to deny the Spaniard a chance at regaining the No. 1 ranking. Nadal is attempting to regain the top spot this week.
Motorsports
CONCUSSION PROTOCOL CHANGE FOR INDY CAR » IndyCar has added an eyetracking computer test as a requirement to its concussion evaluation protocol.
Horse racing
JUSTIFY WORKS OUT ATP I MLICO » Kentucky Derby winner Justify has gotten acquainted with the track at Pimlico Race Course, where he will attempt to keep his Triple Crown hopes alive Saturday in the Preakness. Because the track was soaked from a heavy morning shower, trainer Bob Baffert made it easy for his undefeated chestnut colt during the Thursday morning workout. Justify showed no signs of being troubled by the heel bruise that was discovered the day after he won the Derby on May 5.