MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015 SPORTS Kim leads Founders Cup

PHOENIX: A couple of things stood out early. You can watch some basketball.” when Stacy Lewis glanced at a scoring Alison Lee and second-round leader Kim monitor Saturday night at the JTBC Kaufman were third at 13 under. The 20- Founders Cup. For one, the leaderboard year-old Lee matched the course record was packed on a Desert Mountain course with a 63, and the 23-year-old Kaufman known for low scores and yesterday had a 70. Top-ranked Lydia Ko was 12 shootouts. And at 30, she’s a lot older than under after a 69. The 17-year-old New the other leaders. Zealander has broken par in her last 23 “I do feel old, yes,” Lewis said. “We knew LPGA Tour rounds and 26 worldwide, a it was coming. A lot of the young Koreans streak that started in the first round of her were coming out, so it’s not surprising. I victory last year in the season-ending mean, they are fearless. They don’t have the event. experience, so that’s hopefully to my Ko won the Women’s Australian Open advantage. “But it is a little strange to be 10 and the Ladies European Tour’s New years older than some of these girls.” Zealand Women’s Open in consecutive Hyo Joo Kim, at 19 already a major weeks this year. She tied for second last champion, finished off a 6-under 66 in the year at Desert Ridge, finishing a stroke dark to take a two-stroke lead over Lewis. behind Karrie Webb. Mi Hyang Lee and Ha The South Korean player holed her 1 1/2- Na Jang also were 12 under, and six more foot par putt on the final hole at 6:51 p.m. - players were 11 under. 11 minutes after sunset. “I think it almost makes things easier “Been really good with the driver, sec- because you have to just go out there and ond, third (shots), totally all the clubs,” Kim play and see what happens,” Lewis said said. “If I miss, I save, so I’m playing good. about the packed leaderboard. “You can’t All the putts feel good.” watch one person or the people in your Kim made three straight birdies - the last groups. You’ve just got to go play golf.” with a 25-foot putt on the par-4 16th - and Lee, still a student at UCLA after turning finished at 16-under 200. She won the pro in December, tied the course record set Evian Championship last year in France. by Ai Miyazato in 2013 and matched last “I’ve won before and I’ve been playing year by Webb, Cristie Kerr and Hee-Won four or five times a year on the LPGA,” Kim Han. Lee also matched the best score of her said. “So I have experience, but not much career. “I kind of played my own game,” Lee like this in the States.” said. “I really didn’t even realize that I was Lewis shot a 67. After birdieing six of the playing that well until the last hole when I first 11 holes to take the lead at 15 under, finally looked at the scoreboard.” she had six pars and a bogey - on the par-3 She finished on the par-4 ninth, hitting a 14th - on the final seven holes. 9-iron to 1 1/2 feet. “I was hitting all my “I feel like I played a lot better than the approach shots really well,” Lee said. score,” Lewis said. “Had a bunch of putts, Making her third LPGA Tour start as a pro- MEMPHIS: Grizzlies guard Beno Udrih (center) fights for a rebound against Portland Trail Blazers guard Steve Blake (left) and guard CJ McCollum especially early, that I thought I made. The fessional, Lee won the Pac-12 title last year (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game. — AP hole locations coming in were pretty as a freshman and was co-medalist at Q- tough, so I think to make some birdies, you school. She finished finals last week and really had to hit some good shots.” plans to take more classes in the fall Grizzlies and Suns advance The 11-time tour winner was relieved to Webb came from six strokes back in finish the round Saturday in the event that each of her two victories in the event, clos- MEMPHIS: Jeff Green had 23 points and Mike scored 17 for the Nets, who have won four of the start of the fourth. In all, the Pistons finally caught up after falling behind ing with a 66 in 2011 and the 63 last year. Conley scored 21 with nine assists to lead the five. George Hill had 18 points and nine assists outscored the Bulls 47-11 in a 16-minute stretch Thursday when rain delayed the start. The Australian had a 73 on Saturday, leav- Memphis Grizzlies to a 97-86 victory over the for the Pacers (30-39), who lost their fifth spanning the final two quarters. Pau Gasol had ing her 10 strokes behind Kim. “The worst part is going to sleep think- struggling Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday straight. Brooklyn pulled away for good when 27 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago. ing about that one shot or that one putt “It’s going to be a shootout,” Lewis said. night. Zach Randolph added 17 points for Joe Johnson converted a three-point play and you have to hit,” Lewis said. “Just being able “It’s going to be what this golf course sets to do the normal stuff in the morning and up for and the leaderboard this year sets up Memphis, which won its second straight. Marc Bogdanovic made a 3-pointer to put the Nets WARRIORS 106, JAZZ 91 not having to worry about going to bed so for it even more.” — AP Gasol had 13 points, and Tony Allen finished ahead 109-100 with 4 minutes remaining. Stephen Curry bounced back from his worst with 10 points and 11 rebounds. A win for the Pacers would have put them in shooting performance of the season to score 24 Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 27 sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern points, and Leandro Barbosa added a season- points and seven assists. LaMarcus Aldridge had Conference. Instead, the Nets (29-39) closed the high 19 off the bench as Golden State pulled 16 points, but didn’t play in the second half gap in a crowded race for the final playoff spot. away late to beat Utah. because of an injury to his left hand. C.J. One day after shooting 4 of 17 in a win over McCollum finished with 13 points, and Dorell PISTONS 107, BULLS 91 New Orleans, Curry went 8 of 18 from the floor Wright scored 10. Reggie Jackson had 22 points, including 17 in against a Utah defense that had been the NBA’s The Trail Blazers also played the second half the third quarter as Detroit came back from a stingiest over the past three weeks. without starting forward Nicolas Batum, side- 19-point deficit to beat Chicago. Draymond Green added 15 points, six lined with lower back pain. The team said X-rays The Pistons trailed 72-53 with 7 minutes left rebounds and seven assists for the Warriors (56- on Aldridge’s hand were negative. in the third quarter, but got a combined 27 13), who have the best record in the NBA. The loss was the season-worst fourth straight points and 13 assists from Jackson and fellow Derrick Favors had 21 points and 11 rebounds for Portland, which was creeping up the Western point guard Spencer Dinwiddie in the second for the Jazz. Utah lost for only the fourth time Conference standings a week ago. The defeat half. Detroit had already taken an 80-79 lead by since the All-Star break. — AP dropped the Trail Blazers four games behind the Grizzlies for the second playoff seed in the West. NBA results/standings SUNS 117, ROCKETS 102 Eric Bledsoe had a career-high 34 points and Phoenix withstood a fourth-quarter charge by Brooklyn 123, Indiana 111, Detroit 107, Chicago 91; Phoenix 117, Houston 102; Memphis 97, Portland 86; Golden State 106, Utah 91. Houston. Bledsoe scored 23 by halftime and sur- passed his previous career best of 33 points, set Eastern Conference Western Conference earlier this season, on a free throw with about a Atlantic Division Northwest Division minute remaining. Phoenix led by 15 early in the W L PCT GB Portland 44 24 .647 - Toronto 41 28 .594 - PHOENIX: Hyo Joo Kim hits a tee shot on the sixth hole during the third round of the fourth quarter when Houston used a 14-4 run to Oklahoma City 39 30 .565 5.5 Boston 30 38 .441 10.5 LPGA Tourís JTBC Founders Cup. — AP cut it to 105-100 with 5 minutes left. Neither Utah 31 38 .449 13.5 team had scored for about 2 1/2 minutes when Brooklyn 29 39 .426 11.5 Denver 26 44 .371 19 P.J. Tucker made a 3-pointer that started a 12-0 Philadelphia 17 52 .246 24 Minnesota 15 53 .221 29 Grix hat-trick spurt by the Suns that secured the victory. NY Knicks 14 55 .203 27 Pacific Division Donatas Motiejunas had 18 points for the Central Division Golden State 56 13 .812 - Rockets and James Harden added 16 after scor- Cleveland 45 26 .634 - LA Clippers 45 25 .643 11.5 Chicago 42 29 .592 3 ing a career-high 50 in Thursday’s win over Phoenix 37 33 .529 19.5 Milwaukee 34 35 .493 10 tames Wildcats Denver. Phoenix’s victory snapped a three-game Sacramento 23 45 .338 32.5 Indiana 30 39 .435 14 winning streak for Houston and allowed the Detroit 25 44 .362 19 LA Lakers 17 50 .254 38 : scored a hat-trick inside the Ash Handley and hit back for the Suns to avoid a season sweep by the Rockets. Southeast Division Southwest Division opening nine minutes as Rhinos. ’ try for the Warriors made it Atlanta 53 16 .768 - Memphis 49 21 .700 moved up to fourth place in the 16-14 at half-time but further scores from Liam NETS 123, PACERS 111 Houston 46 23 .667 2.5 with a 44-14 victory over Sutcliffe and ensured Leeds Washington 40 29 .580 13 Brook Lopez had 26 points and four blocked Miami 32 36 .471 20.5 San Antonio 43 25 .632 5 Wildcats at Belle Vue yesterday. The full-back got remained second. shots to lead Brooklyn over slumping Indiana. Dallas 44 26 .629 5 the visitors off to the perfect start with his quick- At the other end of the table Hull FC moved Charlotte 29 38 .433 23 fire treble - the 30-year-old’s third a stunning off the bottom with a 33-22 win at home to Bojan Bogdanovic added 21 points and five Orlando 22 49 .310 32 New Orleans 37 32 .536 11.5 solo effort from 80 metres. . Catalans’ Vincent Duport rebounds off the bench, and Deron Williams Wakefield fought back with Dean Collis and opened the scoring, but Hull eased into a lead efforts, coupled with Jordan thanks to tries from Marc Sneyd, 23-year-old Crowther’s converted try just after half-time, Australian Jordan Rankin, Steven Michaels and reducing the deficit to 18-14. Tonga international Fetuli Talanoa. Thomas Bosc Waratahs beat Brumbies But second-half tries from , grabbed the Dragons’ second try to make it 22- - who finished with 16 points in 10 at the interval but added two total - and Ukuma Ta’ai eased any tries for the hosts before Morgan Escare and SYDNEY: The New South Waratahs beat the Giants nerves, and Wakefield’s fourth successive New Zealander reduced the deficit for ACT Brumbies 28-13 yesterday to get their loss left them bottom of the table. French side late on. Catalans lost ground on the Super rugby title defence back on track in a Elsewhere yesterday, Danny Galea scored a chasing pack and they are now just a point match that shone a light on the best and try to help emerge 20-16 win- ahead of following the Tigers’ 30-16 worst of Australian rugby. Matches between ners against Hull KR. Paddy Flynn also bagged a win against on Friday. the Waratahs and Brumbies are always bruis- double for the Vikings who claimed just their Justin Carney was among the Castleford ing, physical battles and yesterday’s clash at second win of the season to leapfrog Rovers in scorers as they entered the break 22-12 to the the Sydney Football Stadium kept faith with the table. good - Weller Hauraki one of two try-scorers for kept up the pace with leaders the Red Devils in the first half. that tradition. St Helens following a 26-14 victory over Wigan But both sides finished the opening 40 min- Tensions were high throughout. There Warriors on Friday - but the big surprise came in utes with 12 men as Carney and Salford’s Rangi were no fist fights but the ACT Brumbies’ the team selection as the Rhinos handed a start Chase were sin-binned. Carney went on to grab flanker David Pocock, a vocal supporter of to full-back Zak Hardaker. Hardaker had admit- his second try of the evening as the Tigers same sex marriages, complained to the refer- ted an assault on a student earlier in the week earned their second successive home win in ee about homophobic slurs being made by after Leeds had reported the 23-year-old comfortable fashion. the Waratahs players. Waratahs coach Michael England international to police, but it didn’t On Thursday, reigning champions St Helens Cheika said he was reluctant to comment on seem to affect the hosts. Matty Smith did open maintained their 100 per cent start to the Super the issue because he hadn’t heard what was the scoring for Wigan before former Newcastle League season with a hard-fought 32-24 success alleged to have been said on the field. Knight , teenage debutant at home to . —AFP “The way I see it is like this: if there’s an issue, it will come to light,” Cheika said. “When KOTC shooting tourney it comes to light, I’ll make my position clear on it.” The ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham KUWAIT: Kuwait Shooting Sports Club was also tightlipped when asked about the announced that preparations for Kuwait incident at the post match news conference. Oil Tankers Company championship “We haven’t had a chance to chat to every- which will be held at Sheikh Sabah Al- one about everything that happened out David Pocock Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex from there but we will investigate it further,” he March 26-28, have begun. said. “But I didn’t hear it and I wasn’t on the The Brumbies had good some performers the season but hardly fatal. Competition will be in the following field... and I certainly didn’t hear it. “It was too. Matt Toomua scored a fine solo try in the With the Waratahs and Brumbies likely to events: 10m air pistol and rifle, 50m three reported as that. We’ll have to talk to individu- third minute and Henry Speight was a con- provide the bulk of Australia’s squad for the positions, 50m free pistol, 25m pistol for als and see what the process is.” The Waratahs stant threat on the wing. Flanker David World Cup later this year, yesterday’s clash men, women and juniors. took the spoils in the match, thanks in part to Pocock also made a successful comeback after was also a chance for the players to press their Secretary General of Arab and Kuwait some brilliant individual performances, none but overall, the Waratahs defended better and claims with the NSW and Australian coach Shooting Federations said KOTC better than Israel Folau. were more disciplined and got the rewards. Cheika watching from the stands. Championship is among the events on The NSW fullback scored one try, threw the The win lifted the Waratahs to eighth place His biggest concern would have been with Kuwait Shooting Sports Club agenda Obaid Al-Osaimi final pass for two others and looked danger- in the standings after six rounds and in posi- the set-pieces, particularly the scrums. Time annually as it is distinguished and tion to challenge for the playoffs. The and time again, the scrums collapsed, forcing attracts many shooters. He said KOTC board members for their efforts to help ous every time he got his hands on the ball. Bernard Foley, at flyhalf, also played well Brumbies missed their chance to remain the re-sets and resulting in free-kicks. There was holds the tournament to encourage and and support the shooting sport to con- top of the table, slipping to second spot also some concern about the Wallabies centre tinue their achievements, and wished the for the Waratahs, scoring a try and kicking two support shooters, and he thanked the behind the unbeaten Wellington Hurricanes. Tevita Kuridrani after he left the field with an company on behalf of the chairman and company all success. penalties and two conversions while Kurtley Beale made some strong runs from centre. This was arguably their worst performance of apparent shoulder injury. — Reuters