BRIEFS

Gilbert Perry’s prevails in Division I doubles action

The state titles for singles and doubles badminton were decided on Saturday in both Divisions I and II.

In Division I, Gilbert Perry’s pairing of Nikhita Jayaraj and Ashley Rodarte beat Thalia and Abby Liu from Chandler Hamilton in straight sets to win the doubles championship. In singles, Perry’s top-ranked Julia Mumme fell to Corona del Sol’s Brennan Agnew came back from being down on set to win.

In Division II, Jordan Ludwig from Phoenix Washington beat Lily Ren from Ironwood in straight sets. In doubles, Sofia Lovesy and Lilly Major from Phoenix Sunnyslope entered the tournament as the No.5 seed and made it all the way to the finals.

Team state championships will be held Monday.

— Nate Fain

Koepka keeps alive chance for top spot, leads by 4 in S. Korea

JEJU ISLAND, South Korea – Brooks Koepka has improved his chances of taking over as No. 1 golfer in the world, shooting a bogey-free 5-under 67 for a four-stroke lead after three rounds of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges.

Koepka had a threeround total of 13-under 203. Ian Poulter, who shot 68 Saturday, was tied for second place with second-round leader Scott Piercy, who had a 72.

Koepka, who trailed by one stroke after two rounds, will move to the top of the world rankings if he wins the tournament and former No. 1 Justin Thomas does not finish any better than second.

Ciganda shoots 67 to share lead at LPGA Shanghai

SHANGHAI – Carlota Ciganda of Spain shot a 5-under 67 to share the lead with Sei Young Kim after the third round of the LPGA Shanghai.

Ciganda carded her fifth birdie of the day on the par-4 18th to finish tied with overnight leader Kim at 11-under 205. Kim shot a 71 with four bogeys and five birdies.

64-year-old Jay Haas leads Champions playoff opener

RICHMOND, Va. – Jay Haas shot a 7-under 65 – missing his age by a stroke – to take a twoshot lead in the PGA Tour Champions’ playoffopening Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

Trying to become the oldest winner in tour history, the 64-year-old Haas birdied the par-5 16th and 18th holes to get to 11-under 133 on The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course.

Mike Fetchick set the age record of 63 years to the day in the 1985 Hilton Head event. Haas is second on the list, taking the 2016 Toshiba Classic at 62 years, 10 months, 7 days for his 18th senior title.

Nemechek drives away from Hemric for first Xfinity win

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – John Hunter Nemechek drove away from championship contender Daniel Hemric late in the race to earn his first Xfinity Series victory in a race that gave the playoffs a big shakeup.

An opening-lap crash involving four playoff drivers ultimately knocked Christopher Bell, Justin Allgaier and Austin Cindric from the race.

Hamilton grabs pole position at US Grand Prix in title bid

AUSTIN, Texas – Lewis Hamilton secured the pole position Saturday for the U.S. Grand Prix, where the Mercedes driver could clinch a fifth career Formula One championship.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel must beat Hamilton or stay close to him Sunday if he hopes to push the championship to next week in Mexico.