Albatross keeps Yan Liu in front at Chevron Championship
HOUSTON – China's Yan Liu recorded a rare albatross – a three-under score on a hole – and emerged with the lead after the second round of the Chevron Championship on April 25 in The Woodlands, Texas.
On the par-five eighth hole at The Club at Carlton Woods, her second shot impressively found the hole.
Liu wound up shooting an even-par 72, leaving her at seven-under 137 in the first LPGA Major of the season.
She said of her albatross: 'I take my 7-iron and I see the ball (went) in, so that's a really cool thing. But I think (the TV crew doesn't) have video for that hole. Little sad.
'I think I jumped twice on the fairway. Just very happy and so excited. Players in (my) group say congrats to me, so that's very nice.'
Four players are tied for second at six under – Lindy Duncan (66), Sarah Schmelzel (68), Japan's Mao Saigo (68) and South Korea's Kim Hyo-joo (71).
Angel Yin (70), Belgium's Manon De Roey (71) and South Koreans Choi Hye-jin (71) and Ryu Hae-ran (74) share sixth place at five under. Ryu and Liu were the co-leaders after the opening round.
Additionally, China's Zhang Weiwei was five under through 15 holes and five under for the tournament when play was suspended due to darkness.
Liu, a 27-year-old who has yet to win an LPGA event, admitted she will feel some pressure entering the weekend.
'I think definitely I will feel a little bit, because this – well, this is Major,' she said. 'I know the course going to be harder, harder, so I think just I just stay patient, calm. Because I'm very emotional person, yes.'
World No. 1 and defending champion Nelly Korda bounced back from a 77 in the first round with a 68, leaving her tied for 46th at one over. Also at one over is world No. 3 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who shot a second-round 72.
In men's golf, Isaiah Salinda holed a late birdie putt as he and Kevin Velo secured a one-shot lead at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.
Salinda and Velo opened the team event with a 58, a tournament record for four-ball (best ball). The action on April 25 was foursomes (alternate shot), and the duo managed a three-under 69 to hang on to the lead at 17-under 127.
They were ahead of Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin, who turned in a 66 earlier in the day to get to 16 under. 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
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Real Madrid manager Alonso promises action over words ahead of LaLiga debut
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox MADRID - Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said on Monday he wanted his team's performance on the pitch to do the talking for him as he begins his first LaLiga campaign at home against Osasuna on Tuesday. Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso, loved by Real fans for his trophy-laden playing years at the Bernabeu and with Spain, has been charged with reviving a Madrid side that ended last season without a major trophy. In the Club World Cup, which was Alonso's first competition as Real coach, they were knocked out by Paris St Germain in a 4-0 semi-final loss last month. Real, under Italian Carlo Ancelotti, finished four points behind LaLiga champions Barcelona and failed to retain their Champions League crown after a quarter-final exit. They also lost the Copa del Rey final to bitter rivals Barca. "I'm more about doing than talking," Alonso told reporters. "Making promises before you act doesn't usually work in football. Just saying it is not going to make it happen. We want to start down that path tomorrow. "We are really excited and want to bring that energy to the stadium and earn their (the fans') support." Alonso has bolstered Real's defence with England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold joining from Liverpool along with Bournemouth's 20-year-old Spain centre-back Dean Huijsen and left back Alvaro Carrera from Benfica. The reinforcements address last season's defensive troubles that deflated Real's title challenge. Defender Dani Carvajal, who is easing his way back after last season's ACL injury, has been named in Real's squad to face Osasuna. "It's great competition for the players, and I love that we have two who can play in each position," said Alonso. "Sometimes I will have to rotate. Carvajal is getting closer and closer to his best, and that's very good for the squad." However, Real will be without Antonio Ruediger (suspended) as well as injured left back Ferland Mendy, midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham plus forward Endrick. Alonso also discussed Real's decision to denounce plans for a Barcelona-Villarreal LaLiga match in Miami in December. Real have warned that the proposal could undermine football's competitive balance and vowed to petition soccer's governing bodies to block the move. The December 20 fixture, approved by the Spanish Football Federation last week, could become the first LaLiga match held abroad and the first European league game in the United States. It requires approval from UEFA, US Soccer, CONCACAF and FIFA. "I very much agree with the club's (Real's) statement. If the rules are to be changed, it must be by unanimous agreement of all the participants (in the league). Otherwise, it cannot be done," Alonso said. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thompson out of sprint showdown with Lyles in Lausanne
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson will not run in the 100 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League on Wednesday, with media reports citing shin discomfort as the reason for the Jamaican's absence. Thompson won the much-anticipated rematch with Noah Lyles at Saturday's Diamond League meeting in Silesia, after the American beat Thompson by five thousandths of a second at last year's Olympic final, but there will be no repeat showdown in Switzerland. Saturday's race was the pair's first meeting since the Paris final, with Lyles' season delayed by an ankle injury. Thompson came out on top in a time of 9.87 seconds, with the American posting his best time of the season, coming second in 9.90. Thompson is unlikely to run again before the world championships in Tokyo in September. He is currently the man to beat after clocking 9.75 at the Jamaican championships in June. Lyles will have another Jamaican rival to contend with in Lausanne, facing Oblique Seville who beat the American when Lyles made his first 100m appearance of the season at the London Diamond League meet in July. Another Jamaican, world champion Shericka Jackson, is also absent from the women's 200 metres starting list in Lausanne. Jackson posted a season's best time of 22.17 seconds in Silesia on Saturday to win the 200m. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Man suspected of racially abusing Bournemouth's Semenyo banned from stadiums
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A 47-year-old man from Liverpool who was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo has been conditionally bailed and banned from attending soccer matches, Merseyside Police said on Monday. Friday's Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield was halted during the first half after Semenyo told the referee he was targeted by a man in the crowd. The Ghana forward netted twice in the second period, but Liverpool won the match 4-2. Police said a man had been ejected from Anfield over the incident and announced they had made an arrest the following day. "He has now been bailed with conditions, which includes not to attend any regulated football match in the UK and not to go within one mile of a designated football stadium," Merseyside Police said in a statement, adding that the investigation was still ongoing. FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the racist abuse directed at Semenyo, saying that the Players' Voice Panel will aid the 25-year-old. On Saturday, Semenyo thanked his teammates, Liverpool, match officials and the "entire football family" for their support. REUTERS
