In brief: Creamer gives U.S. lead at Solheim Cup
Golf: Paula Creamer made a 20-footer late Friday afternoon to give the United States a 4 1/2 -3 1/2 lead at the Solheim Cup in Sugar Grove, Ill., and make Juli Inkster the highest-scoring U.S. player in the event’s history. The 49-year-old has scored 17 1/2 points, one more than Meg Mallon, now an assistant captain for the U.S. team.
Inkster hasn’t won since 2006, and her best finish this year is a tie for 11th. But U.S. captain Beth Daniel didn’t hesitate to make her a captain’s pick, and the seven-time major champion reinforced the decision with a critical point against Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie.
The Americans were 3-up after 12 holes, only to see the lead dwindle when Inkster missed par putts on the next two holes. But Inkster is quite possibly the most competitive person on the team, and she responded with a spectacular chip on the par-5 15th, running it a foot past the hole from 120 yards.
After splitting the 16th hole, the worst the Americans could do was a half-point for the match. That would have left them tied with the Europeans, however, and the last thing the U.S. team wanted to do was lose any of its momentum. There are eight doubles matches today, and the Americans need 14 points to win their third straight Solheim Cup. Europe needs 14 1/2 points to win its first on U.S. soil.
Matthew missed a long putt to win the hole, leaving Creamer with that 20-footer. Make it, and the Americans finish the day ahead.
Miss, and at least there was still a hole to play.
But Creamer struck the ball perfectly, and was pumping her fist before it even dropped in the hole. Inkster, standing at the side of the green, threw back her head and dropped to her knees. The rest of the U.S. team quickly surrounded the two on the green, with Michelle Wie – only a few months older than Inkster’s oldest daughter – giving Inkster a big hug.
Only Europe’s Annika Sorenstam (24 points) and Laura Davies (23) have scored more points than Inkster in Solheim Cup play.
•Riley leads at Wyndham Championship: Chris Riley’s best round of the year has pushed him into a share of the lead at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C.
Riley shot a 63 to move to 11-under-par 129 and claim a share of the lead with Ryan Moore of Tacoma during an incomplete second round at the PGA Tour’s final event before the playoffs.
Moore was at 11 under through 17 holes and Jeff Maggert was at 10 under with one hole remaining when play was halted by darkness.
•Bryant up by a stroke: Brad Bryant had a one-stroke lead over defending champion Fred Funk after the first two rounds of the Jeld-Wen Tradition at Crosswater Golf Club in Sunriver, Ore.
Bryant was steady with an even-par 72 that gave him a 10-under 134 in the fourth of five majors on the Champions Tour this year.
•Woods to play in The Barclays: Tiger Woods entered The Barlcays, an indication that the world’s No. 1 player plans to compete in all four FedEx Cup playoff events for the first time.
In a tough economic year in which PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem has asked the players to do more for the sponsors, Woods came through in a big way by agreeing to compete in The Barclays at Jersey City, N.J. He has not played their since 2003.
Mercer Island LL team falls at Series
Little League: Nick Pucciarelli knocked in four runs with a homer and a two-run triple, Angelo Navetta struck out nine in five-plus innings, and Staten Island, N.Y., beat Mercer Island, Wash., 10-2 in the opening game of the Little League World Series at South Williamsport, Pa.
Navetta took a shutout into the sixth before Washington (0-1) scored twice, including an RBI double by Michael Bantle.
In other games, Taiwan defeated Germany 16-0; Warner Robins (Ga.) defeated Urbandale (Iowa) 11-3; and San Antonio defeated Peabody (Mass) 10-1.
Armstrong finishes with main pack
Miscellany: Lance Armstrong finished in the main group of riders in the opening stage of the three-day Tour of Ireland at Waterford, his first race since his third-place showing in the Tour de France.
The seven-time Tour de France winner was among the 14 cyclists to come in 16 seconds behind stage winner Russell Downing of Britain.
•Woman in Pitino case may be unfit for trial: Karen Cunagin Sypher, charged with trying to extort $10 million from University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, may be so mentally incompetent that she does not understand the legal proceedings and may not be able to assist in her own defense, federal prosecutors said in asking a judge to order a psychological exam.
•Bogut hopes to return for camp with Bucks: Andrew Bogut expressed cautious optimism about his comeback from a serious back injury, saying he was hopeful about being at full strength when the Milwaukee Bucks open training camp on Sept. 29.
•U.S. women’s soccer to face Germany: The U.S. national team will play at Germany in October in the first meeting of the two most successful women’s soccer nations in nearly three years.
The U.S. is 16-4-4 against Germany.