Li uses strong finish to lead LPGA

Lucy Li played with a lead for the first time on the LPGA Tour and the 19-yearold was up to the task Saturday, recovering from a sluggish start for a 4-under 67 and a one-shot lead in the Dana Open.

Li was 2 over through seven holes and quickly fading from the picture at Highland Meadows when she responded with five birdies over the next 10 holes to regain the lead and set up a final round filled with possibilities.

Lexi Thompson ran off three straight birdies late in the round for a 65, while Caroline Masson of Germany also had a 65. They were one shot behind.

Six other players were three shots back, including Lydia Ko, a two-time tournament winner who had the low round of the day at 64.

“I was probably a little nervous. It wasn’t anything crazy, but haven’t felt nervous in a long time,” Li said. “Actually making those bogeys might have helped a little, just getting that out of the way and knowing that I could just freewheel it out there a little.”

Li was at 14-under 199, and the final group offers a pair of prodigies.

Thompson was 12 when she first qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles.

Seven years later, Li broke her record when she qualified for the 2014 Women’s Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

“It’ll be great,” Thompson said. “I played with her a little bit — not so much out here. But I think everybody knows how amazing of a player she is.

“Just speaks wonders to the amount of work that she’s put into her game, just the amount of talent she has.” „ Talor Gooch had a 5-under 65 on a day of low scoring and most players wearing shorts, building a one-shot lead Saturday over newcomer Joaquin Niemann after two rounds of the LIV Golf InvitationalBoston. Gooch was among the first players to sign up with the Saudi-funded league and has finished in the top 10 in all three of the series. He was at 12-under 198 and will start the third and final round Sunday on the first hole with Niemann and Dustin Johnson (63). Johnson also has finished in the top 10 in all three LIV Golf events.

Auto racing: Team Penske powered its way around Portland International Raceway on Saturday in a 1-2-3 qualifying sweep that poised the IndyCar championship leaders for a big swing against Ganassi in the title fight. Scott McLaughlin won the pole — his third of the season — and picked up a point for that to help his long shot title chances. McLaughlin goes into Sunday’s race ranked sixth in the standings, 53 points behind Penske teammate and IndyCar points leader Will Power.

Soccer: Sophia Smith scored a pair of firsthalf goals and the U.S. women’s national team defeated Nigeria 4-0 Saturday as both teams prepare for next summer’s World Cup. The United States has a 70-game unbeaten streak on American soil — 63 wins and seven draws. The two teams face off again Tuesday in Washington, D.C . ... It might be time for Liverpool to start worrying about its slow start to the English Premier League. Jurgen Klopp’s team dropped points for the fourth time in six games after a 0-0 draw at Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday. Mohamed Salah hit the post in the 95th minute.