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A22 SPORTS
Saturday 17 June 2017

Brooke Henderson stumbles

late, keeps Meijer LPGA lead

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- Brooke Henderson bo-
geyed the final two holes for a 4-under 67, leaving
the 19-year-old Canadian with a two-stroke lead Fri-
day in the Meijer LPGA Classic.
Henderson had seven birdies - four in a row on Nos.
9-12 - and three bogeys to reach 12-under 130 and
break the 36-hole record at Blythefield. She had a
one-stroke lead Thursday after an opening 63.
Her approach on the par-4 17th rolled down a hill
and she two-putted.
“Could have been really close to being a great
shot,” Henderson said. “I practiced that shot in the
practice rounds and it jumped forward on the first
bounce there and I don’t think I got that today. So,
unfortunately, it’s a tough hole and I just came away
with bogey, which is not really what I was looking for.”
On the par-4 18th, she missed the green, left her chip
well short and missed the long par putt.
Driver Jimmie Johnson puts on his helmet before practice for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Pocono
400 auto race, Friday, June 9, 2017, in Long Pond, Pa. “I kind of let emotions get into things and I was chas-
Associated Press ing birdie to try and get it back,” Henderson said.
“Unfortunately, two bogeys to finish. Hopefully, that
Still going strong at 41, Johnson just gives me a little bit more motivation going into
tomorrow.”
Fellow major champion Lexi Thompson, coming off
agrees to 3-year extension a playoff loss to Ariya Jutanugarn on Sunday in Can-
ada, followed her opening 64 with a 68 to join 2016
runner-up Carlota Ciganda (64) and Mi Jung Hur (66)
BY NOAH TRISTER ago, and now Dale in the race car today as at 10 under.
AP SPORTS WRITER Earnhardt Jr. is in his final he’s ever been.” Thompson closed with a birdie on 18.
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) season . Johnson, however, Johnson tied a record with “I kind of peeked with about five holes to go and I
— Fresh off another won the title last year at his seventh Cup Series title, think it said minus 14 was leading, and then I just saw
championship — and age 41 and has no interest and he leads all drivers on the last minus 12 was,” Thompson said. “But I try
with three more victories in stepping aside. Maybe with three victories in 2017. not to look at leaderboards, just try to focus on my
already this season — this will be his final contract, He’s tied for sixth on the own game, that’s all I can control.”
Jimmie Johnson is showing maybe it won’t. career list with 83 wins — Ciganda lost a playoff to Sei Young Kim last year at
no signs of slowing down. “I think in all fairness to the one behind Bobby Allison Blythefield.
Now, he’s ready for at least questions and to myself, and Darrell Waltrip and 10 “I’ve been playing good,” the Spanish player said.
three more years of racing. any contract I sign right now behind Gordon. “I’m just excited. It was a good week for me here last
Beyond that, Johnson is with my age is probably “I’ve never honestly been year so I have great memories. Yeah, I like the course.
leaving his options open. going to raise questions,” driven by stats and I’ve I like the greens. I think the crowds are always good,
Johnson agreed to a three- Johnson said. “I get it, but I said it so many times, but so I’m very excited.”
year contract extension don’t have a vision of if it’s it’s hard to ignore where I Henderson won twice last year, taking the KPMG
with Hendrick Motorsports three, if it’s five, if it’s seven, sit on the wins list and not Women’s PGA Championship for her first major, and
through 2020. Hendrick I don’t know. I do know I’m let my competitive spirit successfully defending her title in the Cambia Port-
announced the deal with having a great time and kick in and want more,”
the seven-time NASCAR I don’t want to stop right Johnson said. “Certainly, land Classic. She has a 36-hole lead for the first time
Cup Series champion now.” would love to climb further since late last September in China in the Reignwood
Friday. Hendrick also announced up the ladder there. Eight LPGA Classic.
“I’ve said it before and that Lowe’s has signed an championships, I would “It’s great to see my name up there,” she said. “It’s
continued to say that agreement to continue love to stand alone at been a little bit of a rough season so far, you know,
when the fire does go its primary sponsorship of that.” not getting the results that I’ve been looking for. But
out, I will step down,” said Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet Johnson said he and this week seems to be a turnaround week and, hope-
Johnson, who is preparing through next year. Lowe’s fully, I can just finish strong the next two days.”
for this weekend’s race has been Johnson’s primary Hendrick have had an Moriya Jutanugarn was 9 under after a 66.
at Michigan International sponsor for each of his 557 informal agreement: He’ll “It was great,” Moriya Jutanugarn said. “I’ve been
Speedway. “I don’t have career Cup starts. always have a spot at playing solid. I rolled the ball good on the green. Ev-
any framework now on a “Jimmie is one of the best Hendrick and he won’t go erything seems to be good.”
timeline. to ever drive,” owner anywhere else. Johnson, Shanshan Feng (70) topped the group at 8 under.
“I just know that I’ve got Rick Hendrick said in a Hendrick and crew chief The Chinese player is trying to complete a Michigan
three more years of trying statement. “We’re so Chad Knaus have formed sweep after winning the LPGA Volvik Championship
to go out there and win fortunate to have him as one of the most successful three weeks ago in Ann Arbor.
championships and win part of our organization, partnerships in any sport Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn’s younger sis-
races. I’m as hungry as I’ve and I feel even luckier to over the past 16 years, and ter, was tied for 30th at 4 under in her first event as
ever been and as focused call him a friend. He’s a the relentless consistency the No. 1 player in the world. Lydia Ko, at No. 2 after
and dedicated on doing great champion, a terrific of the No. 48 car has stood an 85-week run at the top, was 6 under after a 71.
my job.” advocate for Lowe’s and out even more of late. Michelle Wie also was 6 under after her second 68.
Hendrick already lost Jeff a true ambassador for Johnson is the only driver to Kim had her second 70 to make the cut on the num-
Gordon, who announced NASCAR. There’s no better win for Hendrick since the ber.
his retirement two years person, and he’s as good start of the 2016 season.