Digest: Lydia Ko takes lead after 3rd round of US Women’s Open
Golf: World No. 1 Lydia Ko birdied the 18th hole to cap a 2-under 70 in the third round Saturday that put her in the lead of the U.S. Women’s Open at San Martin, California, bolstering her chance for her third major title in less than a year.
The 19-year-old Ko became the youngest woman to win a major last year at the Evian Championship and followed that up by winning the ANA Inspiration this spring. Now she’s in contention for her first U.S. Open title after failing to make the top 10 in her first four appearances.
Ko has a one-shot lead over 2009 winner Eun Hee Ji and Sung Hyun Park. Brittany Lang and Amy Yang are two shots back at 5 under and Angela Stanford is in sixth place at 4 under at CordeValle.
16th-ranked Koepka out for British Open: Brooks Koepka, the world’s 16th-ranked player from the United States, has withdrawn from the British Open at Royal Troon next week.
The R&A, which organizes the British Open, didn’t give a reason for Koepka’s withdrawal. He pulled out of the Bridgestone Invitational last week with an ankle injury.
Koepka is replaced in the field by compatriot Colt Knost.
Daniel Berger, who pulled out of Bridgestone with a shoulder injury after hitting one shot, withdrew from the British
Two tied at Dick’s Sporting Goods Open: Paul Goydos shot a 6-under 66 on Saturday to forge a tie for the lead with John Riegger after two rounds of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open at Endicott, New York.
Goydos made eagle at the par-4 16th hole and followed with a birdie at No. 17 to finish at 11-under 133 with Riegger, who shot 67 at En-Joie Golf Club. First-round leader Scott Dunlap shot 70 and was alone in second, one shot behind. Wes Short Jr., and Monday qualifier Neal Lancaster also shot 66 and were tied for fourth at 9 under.
Warriors announce signing of David West
Men’s basketball: The Golden State Warriors have officially announced that free agent forward David West has signed his one-year contract.
West agreed to the deal for the veteran’s minimum earlier in the week before signing.
The 35-year-old West averaged 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 78 games last season for San Antonio.
West is entering his 14th season in the league, and he has yet to capture a championship. He hopes that joining a team with four All-Stars after the signing of Kevin Durant should give him the best chance yet.
Kings announce four deals: The Sacramento Kings have announced the signings of free agent guards Arron Afflalo and Garrett Temple and forwards Matt Barnes and Anthony Tolliver.
The deals were agreed to earlier in the week before officially signing.
Serbia, Croatia earn Olympic berths: Serbia and Croatia are Brazil bound. France or Canada will get the only Olympic basketball spot left.
Serbia emphatically claimed its first Olympic appearance as an independent country Saturday, crushing Puerto Rico 108-77 in the championship game of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament it hosted in Belgrade.
Bogdan Bogdanovic had 26 points and eight assists, while tournament MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets added 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Croatia had a much tougher time, outlasting Italy 84-78 in overtime in Turin, Italy. Bojan Bogdanovic of the Brooklyn Nets scored 26 points, former Philadelphia 76ers lottery pick Dario Saric added 18 points and 13 rebounds, and the Croatians qualified for the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
Whalen, Minnesota topples Dallas
WNBA: Lindsay Whalen scored a season-high 22 points and Minnesota used a mind-boggling run to rout the Dallas Wings 93-56 in Minneapolis. Sylvia Fowles added 14 points and 10 rebounds to help the Lynx (16-4) bounce back from a 93-89 overtime loss at the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night.
Minnesota, No. 2 in the WNBA AP power poll, trailed 9-5 before scoring 40 of the next 44 points starting in the middle of the first quarter and carrying into the middle of the second. The Lynx had their largest lead at 88-42 with 4:45 left in the game.
Catch a Glimpse
wins eighth straight
Miscellany: Catch a Glimpse extended her winning streak to eight and earned a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup with her victory in the $1.25 million Belmont Oaks Invitational for 3-year-old turf fillies at Belmont Park.
The Oaks was a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, guaranteeing the winner a spot in the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf on Nov. 5 at Santa Anita.
Catch a Glimpse won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Turf last October at Keeneland in her usual front-running style. In the Belmont Oaks, Catch a Glimpse set the pace as expected, with Coolmore keeping her company. Turning for home, Catch a Glimpse sprinted clear of the pack and held off a late run from Time and Motion by a half-length.
IAAF says Klishina can compete as neutral athlete: The IAAF said Sunday its doping review board had ruled U.S.-based Russian long jumper Daria Klishina meets the “exceptional eligibility criteria” to take part in international competition as a neutral athlete, clearing the way for her to possibly compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.