12 Friday, August 2, 2019 Sports South Africa’s Buhai leads Women’s British Open The 30-year-old former teen star leads South Korea’s Park Sung-hyun by one shot

AFP while since I played so early, but Woburn, United Kingdom I felt very comfortable on the course.” South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai Shibuno felt quite at home carved out a one-shot lead after I got off to a great start, on the English parkland lay out. the opening round of the Wom- lipping out for birdie at “Woburn is very similar to en’s British Open on Thursday, the first and then Japanese courses,” she sug- showing flashes of the form gested. which once marked her out as a making gains at two and “I was relaxed and confi- teenage sensation. three. It was very solid dent. But I am very surprised at Under her single name all round and I struck my position. My game was very of Simon, Buhai represented the ball well all day. But good, and tomorrow I’m going Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the 2019 German South Africa as an amateur in there is an awful long to be playing and smiling all the Grand Prix. (REUTERS) the Women’s World Cup of golf. time.” She turned professional at way to go. Kang, a US Solheim Cup 18 and almost immediately won Ashleigh Buhai player, had seven birdies, and the 2007 Catalonia Ladies Mas- also expressed her love of Wo- Verstappen looms ters on the European Tour. burn. Since then, she has added “It’s a really gorgeous four more titles, including last course, a lot different than play- large in Hamilton’s year’s South African Women’s ing a British Open on a links,” Open, and now competes main- she suggested. “I always enjoy ly on the US-based LPGA Tour. the challenge of the majors and Her major record is poor, I am delighted with my start. I rear view mirror however, with only one top 30. have been working hard on my AFP some poor decisions on strat- But an eight-birdie round wedge play, and it paid divi- Budapest egy and pit stops. was the ideal platform for a title South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai during the first round of the Women’s British Open in Woburn Golf Club, dends today.” “We know that they challenge a she ended the first Milton Keynes, Britain on Thursday. England’s Georgia Hall, the After two stunning wins in weren’t good enough, and round on a seven-under 65. defending champion, and Kim three races, the force in For- that’s why we ended up with “I got off to a great start, lip- world number one ranking on Park had a chance to win onship firmly back on the major In-kyung, the 2017 winner, mula One is with Max Ver- such a bad result,” said Mer- ping out for birdie at the first Monday, but she underlined her a third major last week at the track. were both on the same mark of stappen who will this week- cedes engineering director and then making gains at two determination to snatch it back Evian Championship in France. “I was a little worried com- three under par. end bid for another victory at Andrew Shovlin. and three,” said the 30-year-old after an opening 67. However, she slipped back ing in to this week at having to Ko stayed in touch for back- the Hungarian Grand Prix. Mercedes were unbeaten Buhai. On five under par, the South with a closing 75 to finish tied play back-to-back majors,” ad- to-back majors with a 68 to be The 21-year-old Red in the opening eight races. “It was very solid all round Korean was just two shots be- sixth behind new world number mitted the 25-year-old. three off the lead. The South Bull driver, whose father Jos Yet they could start to feel the and I struck the ball well all day. hind Buhai and one back from one Ko Jin-young. “But it has been better Korean had a blistering run of reached the podium in Hun- pressure if they have another But there is an awful long way Japan’s Hinako Shibuno and A six birdie round got the than I thought. I’ve been able four birdies in a row from the gary in 1994, is hoping to sign bad weekend, if Verstappen to go.” Danielle Kang of the United winner of the 2017 US Women’s to focus and I am feeling good. fifth. But a double-bogey at the off before the mid-season can turn the screw or if the Park Sung-hyun lost her States. Open and 2018 LPGA Champi- My tee time was 7am and it’s a short 14th was a body blow. break with another flourish. Ferraris, with a more exten- Verstappen’s powerful sive upgrades package, can performance in winning last continue the resurgence they weekend’s tumultuous rain- signalled in Germany. hit German Grand Prix lifted Ferraris’ own rising star, Arsenal sign Lille winger Nicolas Pepe No fun playing since Australian him within 63 points of the Charles Leclerc, started well defending five-time champi- in qualifying before being un- for club record 72 million pounds Open, says out-of-form Osaka on Lewis Hamilton with 10 of done by the persistent Ferrari this year’s 21 races to go. mechanical problems that AFP Reuters wrong I blame myself 100%, I The Dutchman is a distant forced him to start 10th. His London TOKYO have a tendency to shut down third in the driver standings, team-mate Sebastian Vettel because I don’t want to burden behind the Mercedes pair of started in 20th. Arsenal announced the World number two Naomi anyone with my thoughts or Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. The young Monegasque signing of winger Nicolas Osaka admitted on Thursday problems,” Osaka wrote. Yet the Silver Arrows’ self- crashed out in the rain but Pepe from French side Lille on that the last few months have “Unexpectedly, (through) described “Armageddon” on four-time champion Vettel Thursday for a club-record fee been “the worst of my life” and the worst months of my life home soil at Hockenheim, has delighted his home support reported to be £72 million. that she hasn’t had fun on the have also had some of the best inspired Verstappen’s team to by picking his way through The deal for the 24-year- tennis court since winning the moments cause I’ve met new dream of greater glory. the field to finish second old Ivory Coast international Australian Open in January. people. That being said I can The Dutchman played ahead of Daniil Kvyat’s Toro eclipses the £56 million spent Osaka’s triumph in Mel- honestly reflect and say I prob- down his potential in the Rosso. on Pierre-Emerick Aubamey- bourne was her second succes- ably haven’t had fun playing championship on Sunday Hamilton won last year’s ang in January 2018 as the sive Grand Slam, following her tennis since Australia and I’m night but Red Bull sporting race in Hungary from pole Gunners add another attack- victory at last year’s US Open. finally coming to terms with director Helmut Marko thinks and, if he is recovered from ing option to their ranks. Since then, the Japanese that while relearning that fun Verstappen might snatch the his illness, should start again Pepe becomes the most has failed to win a tourna- feeling,” she added. title from Hamilton. as favourite. But neither he expensive African player ever ment, lost her number one “I’ve learned a lot about “I would not rule it out,” nor Mercedes are invincible, and the fourth most expensive A file photo Nicolas Pepe during a French Lgue 1 match against ranking and crashed out at myself and I feel like I grew he said. especially if Verstappen con- signing in Premier League his- Olympique Lyonnais. (AFP) Wimbledon. so much as a person this past Hockenheim marked tinues to drive so fearlessly. tory. On Thursday, Osaka post- year(s) so I’m really excited Hamilton’s worst outing since “I like the Hungaroring,” The forward, who will wear and I’m delighted he’s joining. describing himself as quick ed a message to her fans on what the future looks like on joining Mercedes and with said the Dutchman. the number 19 shirt, will add “He will add pace, power and a good finisher. social media. and off the court.” questions being raised about “It’s one of my favourite firepower to an Arsenal at- and creativity, with the aim “I have come a long way “Whenever things go “See you in the U.S. swing.” the Briton’s durability and tracks and I’m looking for- tack that saw Pierre-Emerick of bringing more goals to our and struggled a lot and so sign- exhausting ‘jet-set’ lifestyle, ward to going there. It’s tech- Aubameyang and Alexandre team.” ing for this great club is a big Verstappen is emerging as the nical and you have to hit the Lacazette score 50 goals be- Pepe scored 22 Ligue 1 reward.” man to beat. apexes to position yourself tween them in all competi- goals last season and was Pepe said he was looking Quick read Hamilton finished outside well for each corner. It feels a tions last season. The length linked with a host of clubs over forward to playing alongside the top 10 but was awarded bit like you’re driving a big car of Pepe’s deal at the Emirates the summer including Man- Lacazette, Aubameyang and Six-time champion Ogier to quit world rally two points when Alfa Romeo’s on a small track, as it’s so nar- Stadium was not announced chester United and Napoli. Mesut Ozil. championship series in 2020 two cars were penalised, mov- row, but that doesn’t make it but is believed to be five years. He was behind only PSG’s “Of course, these are the ing him up to ninth. any less fun. Arsenal manager Unai Em- Kylian Mbappe in the Ligue players who sprang to mind Six-time champion Sebastien Ogier said Thursday that he will quit the It was scant consolation “The whole team looks ery said: “Nicolas is a highly 1 scoring charts as Lille fin- because I used to watch them world rally championship at the end of the 2020 season, but insisted for Mercedes on a day when forward to this race. It’s one rated and talented winger who ished second to qualify for the when I was at Lille,” he said. he won’t be slowing down. The 35-year-old French driver had only Bottas crashed and the team, of the warmest and it’s a was wanted by many of the top Champions League. “Also, Lacazette used to penned a one-year deal with Citroen for the current campaign and had distracted perhaps by their good track for us. We’ll give teams in Europe. “Being here is very emo- play for Lyon and so I have had hinted that he was closing in on a farewell. “There are still 20 rallies own ‘retro’ celebrations of 125 it everything before the sum- “Signing a top-class winger tional because it has not been the opportunity to play against left for me to race if you are counting down,” Ogier told the Rally of years in motorsport, made mer break.” has been one of our key objec- easy for me,” he said in an in- him and it will be an honour to Finland website. “But it’s not as if I have it in my mind that I am going tives in this transfer window terview on Arsenal’s website, play alongside him.” to drive more slowly.” (AFP) Dortmund hope to send message in Super Cup against Bayern

DPA our in 2012. “The Super Cup is a good agreed months ago and the Berlin Coach Lucien Favre has game,” coach Niko Kovac said weeks since the German Cup been given both more quality after losing Bayern’s last friend- win over RB Leipzig in May The German football season and depth to work with from ly on penalties to Tottenham have been spent on a - so far - opens with the Super Cup on the squad which came up just Hotspur on Wednesday. fruitless search for wingers to Saturday as Borussia Dort- two points short in the table a “I have taken it very seri- replace the departed Arjen Rob- mund duel with Bayern Munich few months ago. ously last year and we’ll take it ben and Franck Ribery. for the first - but probably not (Bayer Lev- seriously in Dortmund at the French wide player Kingsley the last - time this campaign. erkusen), weekend.” Coman can return to training “The Super Cup carries a (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Twelve months ago Kovac before Saturday despite hav- great significance for all of us,” (Bayern Mu- watched his side cruise 5-0 ing picked up a knock against Dortmund captain nich) and (Hoffen- over his former club Eintra- Spurs, confirming Kovac’s im- said after Tuesday’s final friend- heim) are significant arrivals cht Frankfurt to open a season mediate belief “he’ll play again ly, a 4-1 romp over Swiss side St while Abdou Diallo (Paris Saint- which ended with the domestic in the next few days.” Gallen. Germain) and Christian Pulisic double. But he survived a poor Win or lose against Dort- “It’s a title up for grabs, it’s (Chelsea) the main departures. run of form early on an b d a mund, Bayern will have work important to make a good start Brandt will miss out of the good start this season is likely to do before the to the season and to show our Super Cup, hosted by Dort- crucial for his future. start against Hertha Berlin fans that we’re out to achieve mund, while Hazard and home “The current condition of on August 16. something.” keeper Roman Buerki are injury the team is very good,” said Ko- But for 90 minutes – and Reus has made no secret of doubts. vac, though he has publicly possibly penalties – all their the fact Dortmund, Bundesliga “The Super Cup is a match hoped for more reinforcements. concentration can go on beat- runners-up last season, are out with lots of potential,” said Dortmund’s Marco Reus (right) fouls Bayern Munich’s during a Bundesliga match in Bayern have added World ing their old rivals. to go one better by becoming back-up keeper , Munich, southern Germany, recently. (AFP) Cup winning defenders Lucas “We are looking forward champions this term. “That’s when it really starts for Hernandez and Benjamin Pa- to the game on Saturday, to That would end Bayern’s us.” nor Bayern are at 100 percent,” son ahead. since 2012, winning four and vard, and young striker Fiete our first match for the first seven-year title streak since Reus did admit that it is going into tie which limits its Bayern have been involved losing three, so are used to both Arp this close season. title,” said midfielder Thomas Dortmund last claimed the hon- “equally clear that neither we value as a predictor for the sea- in the Super Cup every year positive and negative outcomes. But all three deals were Mueller.