Page 18 - aruba-today-20190914

A18 SPORTS
Saturday 14 September 2019
Europe holds the lead, U.S. has the momentum in Solheim Cup

By STEVE DOUGLAS with veteran Suzann Pet-
AP Sports Writer tersen in the fourballs.
GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) “Playing alongside the
— The Europeans have the new superstar of Europe
lead. The Americans have was a pleasure today,” the
the momentum. 38-year-old Pettersen said
An opening day of swing- of Van Dam, who won four
ing fortunes in the Solheim holes for the team on the
Cup reached a crescendo front nine as she high-fived
in a tension-filled last hour spectators and cupped
at Gleneagles, with the fi- her ear after making putts.
nal two matches of the “Hopefully some of my
fourballs going to the 18th calmness rubbed off on her
hole and the U.S. team star- today.”
ing at a three-point deficit. The Americans, who lead
Two long birdie putts later, the overall series 10-5, are
first from Lexi Thompson looking for a third straight
then from Brittany Alto- win in the biggest team
mare, the U.S. had es- event in women’s golf but
caped with two half-points a first in three attempts in
and only trailed Europe 4 Scotland after losses in 1992
1/2-3 1/2. and 2000.
As shadows lengthened The Korda siblings are al-
across the PGA Centenary ready revelations after their
Course, it was the U.S. play- historic performance, with
ers and their flag-waving Sisters Nelly, left, and Jessica Korda of the US celebrate on the 14th after winning their Foursomes just four foursomes matches
fans who were cheering match 6 up against Solheim cup at Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. in the 29-year history of the
the loudest. The Solheim cup runs from 13-15 Sept. Solheim Cup finishing with a
“You keep gnawing a half- Associated Press heavier margin of victory.
point here and a point for the U.S., which went into partner — went even bet- mance of the record six Jessica Korda — the elder
there, and it adds up,” said the fourballs trailing 2 1/2-1 ter, holing a birdie from 25 rookies in her team, with of the sisters by five years —
U.S. captain Juli Inkster, 1/2. feet up the slope to com- Nelly Korda and Altomare played the senior role after
who cut an animated fig- The sisters were split up by plete a U.S. comeback digging deep for that cru- skipping onto the raucous
ure beside the 18th green Inkster in the afternoon from 4 down with six holes cial half-point after Ally first tee and throwing some
as Day 1 drew to a close. and placed in the final two to play against Charley Hull McDonald and Angel Yin moves to the backdrop of
“You look at all the golf to- matches, a decision that and Azahara Munoz. delivered a record-tying ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”
day and we’re only a point looked like backfiring as “Even though we’re ahead, 7-and-5 win over Swedish She rolled in a birdie putt
down. So I’m very pleased the Americans went to the we’re going to act like pair Anna Nordqvist and at No. 1 to immediately put
with where we’re at right 18th hole losing in both. we’re behind,” said Law, Caroline Hedwall in the the U.S. 1 up against Caro-
now.” Thompson — playing a European rookie whose fourballs. line Masson and Jodi Ewart
Jessica and Nelly Korda alongside Jessica Korda fist pumps, glares and ani- Europe’s three rookies Shadoff, and chipped in for
played central roles in both — rolled in a 15-foot birdie mated reactions have al- didn’t do badly, either, eagle from the fringe at No.
sessions on Friday, firstly from left to right to grab a ready drawn comparisons with Law picking up two 10 to keep the sisters 5 up.
teaming up as the first sib- half from a match against with “Mr. Ryder Cup” Ian half-points, Celine Boutier In those first 10 holes, the
lings to play together in the Bronte Law and Carlota Poulter. “And we’re going earning a 2-and-1 win with Kordas made four birdies
competition and winning 6 Ciganda in which neither to go and get every point Georgia Hall in the four- and an eagle, giving them
and 4 in the morning four- side led more than 2 up. we can.” somes and Anne van Dam a chance of posting a re-
somes. It was the only win Altomare — Nelly Korda’s Inkster praised the perfor- excelling in a 4-and-2 win cord foursomes win.q

Roglic overcomes crash to keep Spanish Vuelta lead

TOLEDO, Spain (AP) — French rider from team with about 65 kilometers to
Primoz Roglic needed Deceuninck-Quick Step go and had to push hard
to change bikes after a broke away with about 25 to make his way back to
crash but recovered to kilometers to go and fin- the peloton.
finish safely in the pelo- ished five seconds ahead “I was a little unlucky with
ton on Friday, keeping of the pack for his first the crash but I’m still here,”
his lead entering the final Grand Tour stage victory. said Roglic, a former ski
competitive stage of the “I suffered a lot at the end jumper from Slovenia. “I
Spanish Vuelta. of the race,” the 24-year- don’t really know what
The day was marked by old Cavagna said. “The happened. I didn’t see it. I
an attack from team Mov- last 25 kilometers were ter- just tried to come back to
istar after Roglic’s crash, a rible. It was pretty much the front, full gas. We went
move that drew criticism headwind. I wanted to go as fast as possible to get a
Jumbo -Visma’s Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, at the end from other riders. faster but I couldn’t. I was new bike and return to the
of the 13th stage between Bilbao-Los Machucos Monumento Rémi Cavagna made a afraid they would come bunch. It could be better,
Vaca Pasiega, 166,4 km kilometers (103,39 miles), of the strong solo charge to win back and in the end it but it could also be a lot
Spanish Vuelta cycling race that finishes Los Machucos,
near to San Roque de Riomiera, northern Spain, Friday, Sept. the 19th stage in Toledo, a worked out.” worse. I’m looking forward
6, 2019. mostly flat ride of 165.2 ki- Roglic was caught in the to tomorrow. We’re one
Associated Press lometers (102.6 miles). The crash following a fast turn day closer.”q