Golf roundup
Neumann leads Sorenstam by 1 stroke in Scandinavian TPC LODDEKOPINGE, Sweden (AP) – Annika Sorenstam shot a 2-under 70 Thursday to trail fellow Swede Liselotte Neumann by two shots after the first round of the Scandinavian TPC.
Neumann had five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under 68 on the Barseback course, where Sorenstam helped Europe win the 2003 Solheim Cup.
Sorenstam, who is hosting the tournament, shared second place with Carin Koch and Marta Prieto.
The 39-year-old Neumann finished tied for fifth in last week’s Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale.
“I switched coaches two and a half years ago and since then I’ve been playing much better,” Neumann said. “Thanks to Henri Reis my swing is better and it gives me confidence.”
Last year, Sorenstam won the event, then known as the HP Open. Since 1996, she has won LET tournaments five times in Sweden.
International
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. – As sure as the ball will fly 10 percent farther at altitude, the International will be delayed by rain.
For the 20th straight year, weather delayed the PGA Tour’s only stop in Colorado. Heavy, persistent rain wiped out play, meaning the tournament will begin Friday, when the forecast for calls for a 30 percent chance of rain.
Women’s Amateur
ROSWELL, Ga. – Morgan Pressel needed a playoff hole to win her second-round match, then had a solid win in the afternoon and advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.
Also moving on to Friday’s quarterfinals at Ansley Golf Club’s Settindown Creek course in suburban Atlanta were medalist In-Kyung Kim, Jennie Lee, Angela Park, Maria Uribe, Alison Whitaker, Maru Martinez and Jenny Suh.
The 17-year-old Pressel, the runner-up in last month’s U.S. Women’s Open, had to go 19 holes to beat Mina Harigae in the second round. Both had six birdies and one bogey in matching 5-under 67s, but Harigae, who beat Pressel in the Girls’ Junior Championship two years ago, bogeyed the first playoff hole.
European PGA
GLENEAGLES, Scotland – Mark Foster shot a 4-under 68 to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Johnnie Walker Championship, while Colin Montgomerie pulled out with an injured hand.
Montgomerie hurt his right hand while hitting a shot from the 18th fairway, his ninth hole, and he withdrew three holes later. It was the Scot’s first event since finishing second in the British Open three weeks ago.
David Howell, Montgomerie’s Ryder Cup teammate, withdrew Wednesday night because of a stomach muscle injury he sustained at the U.S. Open seven weeks ago.
Both could miss next week’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol.
The highest-ranked player left in the field is Australian Richard Green, ranked 50th. He carded a first-round 77.
There was a group of 12 players sharing second place at 70.
Foster has had a difficult year with eight missed cuts and no top-20 finishes since early April.
“My results don’t show it but I don’t think I’ve played that bad,” Foster said. “I have not strung anywhere near four rounds together.”
The 30-year-old Englishman said he has tended to be too hard on himself.
“I’m trying to just let it go, being more accepting of my bad shots,” Foster said. “Today I put the ball in the right areas and took my chances when I got them.”