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sports Friday 1 april 2022
Kupcho, Lee share early lead in last major at Mission Hills

By JOHN NICHOLSON more," Lee said. "I just think
AP Sports Writer I have a little bit more be-
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. lief in myself and my game
(AP) — Jennifer Kupcho so I can be a little bit more
and Minjee Lee shared the comfortable just hitting the
lead in The Chevron Cham- shots that I choose."
pionship at 6-under 66 after Anna Nordqvist, Caroline
morning play Thursday in Masson and Pajaree Anan-
the first round of the major narukarn were tied for third
tournament's final edition at 68, and 2014 winner Lexi
at Mission Hills. Thompson was another
Defending champion Patty stroke back with Lauren
Tavatanakit and 2013 win- Stephenson.
ner Inbee Park were among Thompson marveled at the
the afternoon starters in the conditions on the course
event ending a half-cen- she first played as a 14-year-
tury run in the mountain- old amateur.
framed desert oasis. "I've never seen it this
Unable to find a sponsor good," Thompson said. "It
willing to remain at Mis- always surprises me every
sion Hills, the tournament year. It's always better. But
that started in 1972 as the the greens are amazing.
Colgate-Dinah Shore Win- I'm one to putt and usu-
ner's Circle and became ally aim at things along the
a major in 1983 is shifting to Jennifer Kupcho tees off on the 17th hole during the Chevron Championship golf tournament way, and there is just not
Houston next year under a Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. an imperfection on greens
six-year deal with Chevron. Associated Press to aim at. It's a good prob-
Kupcho birdied Nos. 11-14 lem."
in sunny and calm con- how much I like the course "Honestly I just don't like just a tiny bit. But conditions Thompson played along-
ditions to get to 8 under, and the atmosphere." that course last week," Kup- are great. Putting greens side top-ranked Jin Young
then bogeyed the next two Winless on the LPGA Tour, cho said. "It doesn't set up are rolling real nice. I don't Ko, the 2019 winner who
holes. She birdied four of the 24-year-old from Colo- for my eye, so I really didn't think you can get better failed to make a birdie in a
the first five holes and fin- rado won the 2018 NCAA think much of it. I just used than that." 74 that ended her streak of
ished with nine birdies and individual title for Wake For- the two days that I did The 25-year-old Australian, under-par rounds at 34.
three bogeys. est and took the inaugural have on the weekend to ranked fourth in the world, "I was hitting lots of great
"I really like the layout of Augusta National Wom- come here and practice." won the Evian Champion- shots, but my putting wasn't
this golf course, the beau- en's Amateur the following Lee birdied all four par 5s in ship last summer for her first good on the green," Ko said.
tiful shape that it's in every year. She arrived at Mission a bogey-free round. major title and sixth LPGA "I couldn't see the break as
year," Kupcho said. "It al- Hills early after missing the "It was perfect," Lee said. Tour victory. much or speed, everything
ways is so fun to be here, cut last week at Aviara in "Not like a breath of wind "I know I have one under my was wrong. I don't know
so just taking advantage of Carlsbad. when we played. Maybe belt, but I do want a little bit what happened."q

MLB, players keep automatic runners in extras for 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Major ed hitter adopted in both regular seasons as part of
League Baseball finalized leagues, pitchers who start adjustments due to COV-
the rules change Thursday games in the batting order ID-19. There were 78 extra-
to bring back automatic can remain in the game inning games during the
runners in extra innings for a as a DH after leaving the pandemic-shortened 2020
third straight season. mound. A DH can also en- season, and the longest by
Despite an easing of pan- ter the game to pitch. That innings were a pair of 13-in-
demic restrictions, MLB and change will apply to mul- ning contests at Houston,
the players' association tiple seasons. won by the Los Angeles
agreed to keep the contro- "The expansion of the des- Dodgers on July 29 and by
versial rule that starts each ignated hitter and giving Oakland on Aug. 7. Every
team with a runner on sec- two-way players enhanced previous season since 1901
ond base during extra in- flexibility to showcase had at least one game of
nings for the 2022 regular their talents will benefit 15 innings or longer
season. the game for the foresee- There were 233 extra-inning Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani strikes out against the Oak-
The agreement regarding able future," union direc- games last year, and the land Athletics during the third inning of a spring training baseball
on-field rules modifications tor of player services Kevin longest was the Dodgers' game, Monday, March 28, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz.
also includes expanding Slowey said in a statement. 16-inning win at the San Di- Associated Press
active rosters from 26 play- "The roster and extra-inning ego Padres on Aug. 25.
ers to 28 from opening day adjustments will also serve The modification for 2020 1; 26 from May 2 through ing forward will remain
on April 7 through May 1 this to protect the health and and 2021 that shortened Aug. 31; and 28 for the rest the same as in 2021, when
year, due to the delayed safety of players during doubleheaders to sched- of the regular season. Last September days were
start of spring training. what will be a unique 2022 uled seven-inning games season, the limit was 26 not excluded toward the
Another new rule benefits season." The "zombie" run- was not continued for 2022. from opening day through threshold of 45 days for the
Angels two-way star Shohei ner modification was ap- Active rosters will be 28 from Aug. 31, then 28. exhaustion of rookie status
Ohtani. With the designat- plied to the 2020 and 2021 opening day through May Rookie qualifications go- in future seasons.q