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SPORTSSaturday 11 July 2015
Amy Yang goes on birdie run, takes lead at U.S. Women’s Open
BOB LENTZ Amy Yang lines up a putt on the 14th hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf before breaking out of
Associated Press tournament at Lancaster Country Club, Friday, July 10, 2015 in Lancaster, Pa. her funk. That carried over
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — into the second round and
Amy Yang rolled in four Associated Press she went on a tear that
consecutive birdies in a propelled her to near the
round of 4-under 66 Friday four on her second nine, on times in the last five years. She was paired with even- top of the leaderboard
for a three-stroke lead af- the way to a 4-under 66. She tied for fifth in 2010 U.S. tual winner Michelle Wie in — again — in the biggest
ter two rounds of the U.S. Yang has had her share of Open, shared 10th place the final round at Pinehurst event in women’s golf.
Women’s Open. success on the LPGA Tour, the following year and and believes that experi- “I just started playing golf,
While the bulk of the field earning a pair of victories placed second in 2012. ence can only help over is really what it was,” Lewis
tried to solve the sloping since turning pro in 2006. Last year at Pinehurst No. 2, the final two rounds. said, “I was thinking a lot
greens at Lancaster Coun- But some of her finest golf she was third after 36 holes Lewis’ patience was test- those first 10, 11 holes, think-
try Club, Yang charged into has been played in the and first after 54 before ed early in the first round ing a lot about my golf
the lead on her inward nine U.S. Open, where she has closing with a 74 and finish- as she struggled with four swing and just not playing.
with birdies on the 11th, finished in the top 10 four ing fourth. bogeys and two birdies So I got to just playing golf ...
12th, 13th. She hit her ap- and it’s what you’re seeing
proach to within a foot on in the scores.” Marina Alex,
No. 14 and punctuated the part of a three-way tie for
run. The 25-year-old South the lead after one round,
Korean was at 7-under 133. carded a 1-over 71 and
“I just enjoy it out here,” was next at 3-under 137.
Yang said. “And I know the Karrie Webb, also first round
golf courses are very tough; co-leader, had a 2-over 72
I just enjoy the tough condi- and was in a large group
tion of the golf courses.” at 2-under 138. That group
Stacy Lewis, last year’s run- includes top-ranked and
ner-up, and Japan’s Shiho two-time champion Inbee
Oyama were tied for sec- Park (70), first-round co-
ond at 4-under 136. Lewis leader Jane Park (72) and
birdied four of eight holes Michelle Pressel (70).
in the middle of her round, Inbee Park and Jane Park
but bogeyed her last and were two of the 55 play-
settled for a 3-under 67. ers forced to finish their first
Oyama had an opening 70 rounds early Friday after
and was 2 over early in her play was suspended late
second round before rally- Thursday when a powerful
ing. She made six birdies in storm pounded Lancaster
a 12-hole stretch, including Country Club.q
Feels like home in San Antonio to LaMarcus Aldridge
By RAUL DOMINGUEZ conference. ‘’I’ve always LaMarcus Aldridge, right, poses with San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford, left, and his
Associated Press felt like this was home.’’ new jersey during a news conference at the team’s practice facility as he is formally introduced
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The A Dallas native who went after he signed with the San Antonio Spurs NBA basketball team, Friday, July 10, 2015, in San An-
San Antonio Spurs pitch to Texas up the road in tonio.
to LaMarcus Aldridge was Austin, Aldridge has always
simple and effective. felt that way about San Associated Press
The Spurs were not going Antonio, but his comfort
to dazzle Aldridge with glitz extends beyond locale. Rockets, Dallas Mavericks Aldridge has averaged including 23.4 points and
and glamour and San An- He is already comfortable
tonio coach Gregg Popo- enough to call Tim Duncan and Phoenix Suns, among 19.4 points and 8.4 re- 10.2 rebounds last season
vich certainly wasn’t going old and joke about Popo-
to sweet talk the 6-foot-11 vich’s perceived lack of a others. bounds over his career, for Portland.q
forward, even if he was bedside manner.
one of the biggest prizes in
free agency. No, the Spurs ‘’It’s not like we made
showed Aldridge he could something up or came up
be comfortable in the self- with a new magic pill, it’s
less culture the five-time being who we are,’’ Spurs
NBA champions have cre- general manager R.C.
ated under Popovich. Buford said of the team’s
The simplicity worked. meetings last week with
Aldridge. ‘’It’s Pop and
Aldridge opted to leave the relationships with all of
the Portland Trail Blazers, his our players and them feel-
home for the first nine years ing empowered to express
of his career, and sign a that. We can’t be some-
four-year contract worth thing we’re not.’’
$84.1 million with the Spurs. It was enough to make Al-
‘’I’m excited to be here,’’ dridge choose the Spurs
Aldridge said Friday morn- over the Trail Blazers, Los
ing in his introductory press Angeles Lakers, Houston
