China's Liu Yan, South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran share storm-hit LPGA Chevron lead
China's Liu Yan plays her shot from the 11th tee during the first round of The Chevron Championship. PHOTO: AFP
HOUSTON – China's Liu Yan and South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran each fired a seven-under 65 to share the lead in the storm-suspended opening round of the LPGA Chevron Championship on April 24.
Both Asian standouts had bogey-free starts for 18 holes at Carlton Woods in the year's first women's Major.
'My driver was pretty good, pretty solid,' Liu said. 'Very solid golf today. On the course I'm pretty confident.'
Ryu made a putter change that has paid dividends.
'That was amazing,' she said. 'I change the putter and more comfortable for my putting this week... this putter is definitely (better). I make a lot of tricky ones and it's really good for me.'
South Korean Kim Hyo-joo was third on 67 with a pack on 68 including her compatriot Choi Hye-jin, American Brooke Matthews, Spain's Carlota Ciganda, Belgium's Manon de Roey and Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn.
Play was suspended by a storm late in the day and halted for good an hour later with 24 players unable to finish their first round until April 25.
Ryu, the 2023 LPGA Rookie of the Year, is seeking her third tour title and first Major victory. She won the LPGA Northwest Arkansas Championship in 2023 and the 2024 FM Championship.
The world No. 12's three top-10 finishes in Majors last season included a fifth-place effort at the Chevron.
Liu began playing golf with her mother 15 years ago. She is hoping to clinch her first LPGA victory and her best career tour finish was third at the 2023 ShopRite Classic.
A 10th-hole starter, the Chinese birdied the 10th and par-three 12th, then opened and closed her second nine with birdies in addition to reeling off three in a row starting at the par-three third.
'I think because my approach shot is pretty good, it's much like long putt,' she added. 'I had like 16 on the green, so every putt is for birdie, so it was pretty key for today's approach shot.'
In men's golf, Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo set the four-ball record at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a 14-under 58 to take the first-round lead at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.
Playing the best-ball format, the duo were a white-hot 12 under through their first 11 holes – an eagle by Salinda at the par-five seventh and the rest birdies – before slowing down. The team finished with five pars and two birdies over the final seven holes.
The scoring record only handed Salinda and Velo a one-shot lead over Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, who turned in a 13-under 59. AFP, REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Ivankovic takes responsibility after China's World Cup dream ends
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Third Round - Group C - China v Japan - Xiamen Egret Stadium, Xiamen, China - November 19, 2024 China coach Branko Ivankovic before the match REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Dean James, Indonesia's Ole Romeny, Indonesia's Beckham Putra, Indonesia's Rizky Ridho, Indonesia's Ivar Jenner and Indonesia's Rafael Struick celebrate after the match REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana China coach Branko Ivankovic took responsibility for his team's exit from the World Cup qualifiers after they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday. China had faint hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite three consecutive losses against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, which left them bottom of Asian qualifying Group C. The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition had ignited Chinese hopes of a return to the finals for the first time since their sole appearance in 2002. "This team has been fighting for this goal for over 20 years," Ivankovic told reporters. "We believed that if we could reach the next stage from this tough group, we would have a strong chance of qualifying. But we didn't succeed, and as head coach, I definitely bear significant responsibility." The 71-year-old Croatian was appointed by China in February last year to replace Aleksandar Jankovic after the Serbian failed to take the East Asian country beyond the group phase of the 2024 Asian Cup. "We've brought in a younger generation of players who have injected energy into the team. Based on their performances, I believe this team has a promising future," Ivankovic said. "We knew this match would be tough — not just because of the opponent, but also the weather. I want to thank my players for fighting until the very last second." China next host Bahrain, who are in fifth place in Group C, for their final third-round qualifier on June 10. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Uzbekistan and Jordan qualify for World Cup for first time, South Korea through
Uzbekistan defenders Khojiakbar Alijonov and Abdukodir Khusanov vie for the ball against UAE forward Ali Saleh. AFP Uzbekistan and Jordan qualify for World Cup for first time, South Korea through DUBAI – Uzbekistan and Jordan made history on June 5 by qualifying for their first World Cup, while the pair will be joined in the 2026 tournament by perennial participants South Korea. Uzbekistan, one of the fastest-rising teams in Asia, drew 0-0 with the UAE to take the second automatic spot in Group A, although top place is still in play after already-qualified Iran lost 1-0 to Qatar. Heading into the third round's final set of fixtures on June 10, Iran sit at the summit, two points ahead of Uzbekistan. The top two teams in each of the three Asian groups go straight to the World Cup, while those finishing third and fourth – the UAE and Qatar hold those slots in Group A – enter a fourth round of qualifiers. In Group B, South Korea confirmed their place in an 11th straight World Cup by defeating Iraq 2-0. The victory, sealed by goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu, means South Korea reclaim top spot from Jordan, whose 3-0 victory against Oman earlier ultimately proved enough to secure their participation at the expanded 48-team showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Jordan's King Abdullah II congratulated the team on social media. 'This historic qualification is well-deserved by our team, which includes stars and cadres of whom we are proud,' he wrote on X. 'Special thanks go to our loyal fans who have been our support and encouragement.' Ali Olwin netted a hat-trick as the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up etched their name in the record books. Iraq sit third in Group B, with Oman and Palestine still able to progress to the fourth round of qualifying. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Australia will go head-to-head on June 10 for the second automatic spot in Group C. Australia remain in pole position following their last-gasp win against group leaders Japan in Perth. Defender Aziz Behich was the home hero in front of more than 57,000 fans, rifling into the corner in the 90th minute to give Tony Popovic's side a crucial 1-0 victory. 'We know there's room to grow and room to improve, but we've done something special tonight,' said Popovic, who saw his team outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side. Saudi Arabia ensured the race for second place will go down to the wire courtesy of a 2-0 win against Bahrain in Riffa. Goals in either half from Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al Obud saw Herve Renard's men stay three points behind second-placed Australia. However, the Saudis will have to win in Jeddah by five goals to leapfrog the Socceroos. Popovic, who replaced Graham Arnold in the dugout in September, added: 'We've all played a part in getting us to this point. We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off.' Also in Group C, Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia kept alive their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since the country's independence in 1945 with a 1-0 win over China. That leaves Indonesia fourth in the group, one point behind the Saudis. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Popovic's Australia perfect the art of qualifying ugly
SYDNEY - Tony Popovic would not deny that his Australia team are tough to watch at times but the former centre half has done what he was brought in to do and taken them to the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Socceroos were distinctly second best to an understrength Japan in Perth on Thursday but Aziz Behich's late winner means they only have to avoid a 5-0 loss to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday to punch their ticket. "It was a special, special night," Popovic told reporters. "The outpouring of emotions when we scored, and obviously after the game, yeah, they are moments I'll always remember. "We've all played a part in getting us to this point, and we want to go to Saudi Arabia now and really finish the job off." Saudi Arabia was the site of Popovic's greatest triumph as a club coach in 2014, when his Western Sydney Wanderers team drew 0-0 with powerhouse Al Hilal in Riyadh to become Asian champions in only the second year of the club's existence. It was partly that continental experience that encouraged Football Australia to bring Popovic in as coach last September when Graham Arnold quit with the World Cup qualification in trouble. The football has not always been pretty but the Socceroos are unbeaten since he took over with four wins and three draws, having conceded just five goals and scored 14 in the seven games. Popovic acknowledged there was plenty of room for improvement but said the seconds before Behich's goal proved there was already a strong platform of resilience to build on. "Although football wise, we need to get better, and we will get better, but in that moment, the 90th minute, we had six players in the box, six players trying to score a goal," he said. "We were tough, we kept a clean sheet, and we've done something that many Australian sides have found hard to do." Australia had not beaten Asian powerhouse Japan in 10 games going back to 2009 before Thursday night and Popovic said that achievement should not be underestimated. "I understand why, now that I'm in this role, why it's hard to beat Japan," he said. "They are the best, and we want to challenge them to be the best, so we shouldn't shy away from that, and hopefully today, we take a big step forward knowing we can beat Japan." Despite the emotion of the last-gasp victory, Popovic said there was no danger of any complacency ahead of Tuesday's clash at King Abdullah Sports City. "It's been a really intense period since I've come in but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do. And we're very close now to achieving our goal," he said. "We need to do a job in Saudi. We're in a great position, but we have to finish it off." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
