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SPORTS Friday 22 June 2018

Jordan Spieth, Zach Johnson

tied for early lead at Travelers

By PAT EATON-ROBB the day. He had eight bird- you're trying to do within
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — ies, including six straight on your golf swing, you sort of
Jordan Spieth has no idea the back nine, one off than have days like this," he said.
what it is like to play from the course record. A lot of golfers took advan-
behind at the Travelers "Six in a row is a treat," said tage of the soft greens and
Championship. Johnson, who finished tied favorable wind conditions
The defending champion for 12th last week in the U.S. Thursday. Twenty-two of
led after every round last Open at Shinnecock Hills. "I them shot a 66 or better.
year in his first visit to TPC had a lot of loft in my hand, Brooks Koepka followed his
River Highlands, and a shot lot of wedges in my hand. second straight U.S. Open
a 7-under 63 on Thursday So that's kind of how you've victory with a 68. Koepka,
to match Zach Johnson for got to think about it is you who started on the 10th
the first-round lead. have a lot of opportunity tee, shot a 31 on his first
Spieth had six birdies and on the back side if you get nine, but bogeyed four of
an eagle out the bunker the ball on the fairway. his final six holes.
on par-5 sixth hole — a shot There are some holes you "I'm still kind of going on
reminiscent of the green- can get at." adrenaline right now," he
side bunker shot that gave Rory McIlroy missed a 13- said. "But I'll be honest, I'm
him a victory last year over foot putt for par on the final dead right now. I think it
Daniel Berger in a playoff. hole that would have given showed kind of coming in."
"They've got some sort of him a share of the lead and The Travelers was selected
magnetic sand for me," finished in a three-way tie by the PGA last year as its
Spieth joked. "But it was for third place with Brian "Tournament of the Year"
actually a pretty tough Harmon and Peter Malnati. and the "Players Choice."
shot there, almost a little McIlroy, who like Spieth That has helped attract
downslope and I had to missed the cut in the U.S. a 156-player field that in-
hit close to the ball, which Open, said he's been work- cludes five of the world's
you just have to commit ing on his swing since Satur- top 10 ranked golfers and Zach Johnson makes a birdie on the 15th hole during the first
round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on
to it. I just hit the shot that day. He saw the practice all four reigning major Thursday, June 21, 2018, in Cromwell, Conn.
was necessary. I probably pay off, hitting 17 greens championship winners. Associated Press
could have gone 4-5 feet with seven birdies during his PGA Championship win-
bye, but I couldn't hit it any round of 64. ner Justin Thomas was in a after the shot and Thomas him I didn't need that, so
better than I did and I was "Sometimes when you take group of 14 players at 66. shook him off. put it back in the bag."
obviously fortunate for it to your focus away from the He made an eagle on sixth "I don't know why he did Masters champion Patrick
hit the pin and go in." result and away from what hole out of the same bun- that," Thomas said. "I think Reed had a tougher day,
Johnson went out in the you're actually scoring like ker as Spieth. His caddie out of instinct went to give making four bogeys in a
morning and led for most of and focus just on what tried to hand him a putter me the putter and I told 72.q
Federer edges Paire to advance in Halle

HALLE, Germany (AP) — fended two match points at under two hours at the wins away from matching Matthew Ebden of Aus-
Defending champion Rog- 6-5 in the decider to force grass-court tournament. Jimmy Connors' all-time tralia, who upset former
er Federer overcame two a tiebreaker. Eight minutes Federer extended his grass- record of 174 victories on champion Philipp Kohlsch-
match points against Ben- later, it swas a match point court winning streak to 18 grass. Federer next faces reiber 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.q
oit Paire to reach the quar- for the 48th-ranked Paire, matches, including his titles
terfinals of the Gerry Weber and again when a mistake in Stuttgart last week and
Open with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7) from Federer left it 7-6 in at Halle and Wimbledon
win on Thursday. Paire's favor. last year. Federer skipped
Paire rallied after losing the But the top-ranked Swiss the entire clay-court sea-
first set to take the second, took the next three points son for the second year in
and the Frenchman de- to close the match in just a row and is now just four linda.reijnders@cspnv.com