Grant, Jaravee share lead at LPGA’s Dana Open in Ohio

Linn Grant tees off of the fifth hole during the first round of the Dana Open golf tournament in Sylvania, Ohio, Thursday. (The Blade via AP)
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Updated 14 July 2023
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Grant, Jaravee share lead at LPGA’s Dana Open in Ohio

  • The leading duo were one shot in front of former world No. 1 one Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen
  • Grant said Highland Meadows was a welcome respite after the rigors of Pebble Beach

WASHINGTON: Sweden’s Linn Grant fired a bogey-free 7-under par 64 on Thursday to share the first-round lead at the US LPGA Dana Open with Thailand’s Jaravee Boonchant.

Grant set an early target at Highland Meadows in Sylvania, Ohio, teeing off on the 10th and opening with six straight pars before stringing together three straight birdies at 16, 17 and 18.

She picked up four more birdies coming in and was joined atop the leaderboard by afternoon starter Jaravee, who launched her round with an eagle at the 10th and added seven birdies with two bogeys.

“I was striking the ball really well both off the tee and into the greens,” said Grant, who like Jaravee is seeking a first LPGA title. “Just felt very comfortable with my swing and didn’t have to force anything.

“I was just having great tempo, so just try and keep that for tomorrow.”

Grant, coming off a tie for 20th at the Women’s PGA Championship and a share of 53rd at last week’s US Women’s Open, said Highland Meadows was a welcome respite after the rigors of Pebble Beach.

“Obviously coming here, you know, easier conditions,” she said. “That kind of just suited my mindset for the day. I just got on a roll.”

Jaravee is trying to halt a string of four straight missed cuts — including at the Women’s PGA and US Open.

A hole out for eagle from 128 yards out was a great start.

“I was just like on the first cut (of rough) and I was like, OK, this shot, just anywhere on the green,” she said. “And the ball just happened to hit one bounce and hop into the hole.”

She was also pleased with a bogey at the first, where she was in a bunker off the tee then in the water, but limited the damage with a great fourth shot to four feet.

“I think that really kept the momentum going, and I made three birdies in a row after that.”

The leading duo were one shot in front of former world No. 1 one Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen.

Rising US star Rose Zhang, who won the Mizuho Americas Open in her pro debut last month, headlined a big group on 5-under par 66.

Zhang was especially pleased to find herself in the hunt after a “travel mess” from California that included a nine-hour delay for her connecting flight from Phoenix.

“I came in Tuesday morning at 3 am, so the practice rounds and the pro-am was a little bit shaky for me,” Zhang said. “I’m glad that I played a solid round, and hopefully I can rest a little bit more.”

American Allizen Corpuz, who won her first major title at the US Women’s Open on Sunday, headed another big bunch on 67.


Last-gasp Lukaku saves Napoli’s blushes at rock-bottom Verona

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Last-gasp Lukaku saves Napoli’s blushes at rock-bottom Verona

  • Lukaku forced home Giovane’s cross to give third-placed Napoli all three points
  • He gave Napoli a huge win with both Como and Atalanta pushing for a top-four placing

MILAN: Romelu Lukaku kept Napoli on course for a Champions League spot with a last-gasp winner in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Verona, the Belgium forward’s first goal of the season.
Lukaku forced home Giovane’s cross to give third-placed Napoli all three points with the last kick of the game at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Napoli had looked like dropping points in northern Italy when Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro levelled Rasmus Hojlund’s early opener in the 65th minute.
But Lukaku, who only played his first game of the season in late January, gave Napoli a huge win with both Como and Atalanta pushing for a top-four placing.
However Napoli’s title defense is all but over as they trail runaway league leaders Inter Milan, who host Genoa in Saturday’s late match, by 11 points after an injury-ravaged season.
Napoli were missing key midfielders Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Anguissa on Saturday, as well as captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Verona, under interim coach Paolo Sammarco following the sacking of Paolo Zanetti earlier this month, are 10 points from safety after a 12th straight match without a win.
Como, who face Inter in the first leg of the Italian Cup semifinals on Tuesday, strolled to 3-1 victory over strugglers Lecce to continue their push for a first-ever qualification for European football.
Cesc Fabregas’s team are two points behind Roma, in fourth and Juventus’ opponents on Sunday, and five behind Napoli.
Star man Nico Paz started on the bench for Como ahead of that clash with Inter, the Argentine starlet coming on midway through the second half with the hosts already two goals to the good.
Como went behind early to a fine Lassana Coulibaly header, but Tasos Douvikas, Jesus Rodriguez and Marc Oliver Kempf all netted before half-time to secure a simple three points.
Como moved two points ahead of sixth-placed Juve who face Roma trying to stay in touch with the Champions League places after being eliminated from Europe’s elite club competition by Galatasaray on Wednesday.