Tag: lead

PGA Tour: England’s Aaron Rai shares halfway lead at John Deere Classic with Harry Hall one back | Golf News

PGA Tour: England’s Aaron Rai shares halfway lead at John Deere Classic with Harry Hall one back | Golf News
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England’s Aaron Rai shares the lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic with countryman Harry Hall just a shot further back.

Rai – who topped the leaderboard going into the final round of last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic before eventually finishing in a tie for second behind Cameron Davis – shot a bogey-free, eight-under 63 in Illinois on Friday to rise to 14 under for the event.

CT Pan matched Rai’s efforts on the day – the Taiwanese player’s blemish-free round featured a 100-foot chip for eagle at the 14th – and he is locked with the Englishman at the head of the field.

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England’s Harry Hall registered five birdies on a blemish-free Friday

The pair are one stroke clear of Hall, who shot a five-under 66, and two better off than a group of six players on 12 under, including Hayden Springer and Sungjae Im.

Springer carded a 59 in his opening round but had to settle for an even-par 71 a day later as he missed a three-foot par putt and also carded a double-bogey late on at TPC Deere Run.

He said: “It wasn’t too bad. It was a little windier today, probably played a little tougher.

“I kind of hit some bumps on the back nine but more just mental errors and not making those short putts than anything else.”

The best of Hayden Springer’s first round at the John Deere Classic, as the American shot only the 14th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history

Rai continues fine form

Rai, Hall and Springer are each looking to land their first PGA Tour titles, although Rai has won twice on the DP World Tour, including at the 2020 Scottish Open when he beat Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off.

Rai said: “I’ve been playing well tee-to-green for large parts of this season and that’s kind of continued over the last few weeks.

England's Aaron Rai during round two of 2024 John Deere Classic (Getty Images)
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England’s Aaron Rai shot an eight-under 68 in the second round of the John Deere Classic

“A couple of weeks ago I spent quite a while on the green. My dad gave me a couple of tips.

“I’ve started working with John Graham as well, a putting coach who is based out here. Putting all that together has definitely translated onto the course.”

C.T. Pan, PGA Tour Golf (Associated Press)
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CT Pan’s sole victory on the PGA Tour to date came at the 2019 RBC Heritage when he beat Matt Kuchar by one stroke

Two-time John Deere Classic champion Jordan Spieth notched two late birdies to make the cut with a four-under 67 but is eight shots adrift heading into the weekend at six under par.

The 2013 and 2015 winner said: “We had yesterday morning with no wind and a chance to really take advantage.

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“I had 18 holes of a couple under yesterday, and unless you’re absolutely perfect from there, there is not much of a chance of winning.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t go out and try and shoot 10 under the next day.”

Watch the third round of the John Deere Classic live on Sky Sports Golf from 5pm on Saturday. Coverage of the final round then begins at 5pm on Sunday.

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Aramco Team Series: Leona Maguire takes two-shot lead into final round as Team Hall and Team Nadaud head to London play-off | Golf News

Aramco Team Series: Leona Maguire takes two-shot lead into final round as Team Hall and Team Nadaud head to London play-off | Golf News
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Ireland’s Leona Maguire will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Aramco Team Series individual event in London, with two teams heading to a play-off.

Maguire added a second round of 72 to her opening 66 at Centurion Club to reach eight under par, with Solheim Cup team-mate Georgia Hall her nearest challenger on six under following a second successive 70.

After making a bogey on her first hole of the day, the 10th, Maguire responded with a birdie on the 13th, only to give the shot straight back on the next.

Birdies on the third and sixth ensured Maguire remained on top of the leaderboard as Hall suffered a poor finish to her round, the world No 38 racing to the turn in 31 but coming home in 39 after dropped shots on the seventh and eighth.

Team Nadaud and Team Hall finished tied at the top of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the 36-hole team event which means, with both teams level on 24 under par, they will play off for victory at Centurion Club at the end of the third round on Friday afternoon.

Team Hall is made up of Hall and Hannah Burke alongside Morocco’s Lina Belmati and amateur Shane Hart-Jones, while Team Nadaud includes Nastasia Nadaud, Czechia’s Kristyna Napoleaova, Spain’s Mireia Prat and amateur George Brooksbank.

Highlights from the first day of the Aramco Team Series London from the Centurion Club

“It is really windy out there; it’s probably a two to three club wind in places,” said Maguire.

“It’s getting swirly in between the trees as well. You really have to commit to your shots. It’s a tough test out there, you have to take advantage of those par-fives and par is a really good score on quite a few holes out there.

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Leona Maguire is bidding for a wire-to-wire victory at Centurion Club

“It’s almost playing a little bit linksy. The course is drying out, it’s getting firm and fast, and quite strong wind. It was swirling in places, so you’re just trying to hit a few punchy shots that I probably haven’t used in a while. It was definitely a welcome back to European golf. It’s a good test and I enjoyed it.”

Watch the Aramco Team Series event in London live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Mix, the red button on Sky Sports Golf and – for free on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. Stream the Ladies European Tour and more with NOW.

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England vs New Zealand: Nat Sciver-Brunt and Lauren Bell lead hosts to ODI series clean sweep | Cricket News

England vs New Zealand: Nat Sciver-Brunt and Lauren Bell lead hosts to ODI series clean sweep | Cricket News
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Nat Sciver-Brunt struck a sparkling 76 not out as England beat New Zealand by five wickets in the third and final ODI in Bristol to complete a 3-0 whitewash in the series.

England won the toss and elected to bowl in the rain-reduced encounter at the Seat Unique Stadium, with pace bowler Lauren Bell taking a career-best 5-37 as the tourists were restricted to 211-8 in their 42 overs.

New Zealand’s batting improved greatly from their last two encounters, though, with Amelia Kerr (57) bringing up her 10th half-century in ODI cricket after sharing a 68-run partnership with her captain Sophie Devine (43).

England stuttered in pursuit of their target of 212, losing three early wickets in the powerplay, with Tammy Beaumont (0) falling lbw to Hannah Rowe (2-38) from the fifth ball of the innings before captain Heather Knight (nine) was caught and bowled by Rowe and Maia Bouchier (19), who hit a brilliant century in the second ODI, departed after being caught behind off the bowling of Molly Penfold, leaving the hosts 33-3 in the eighth over.

However, Sciver-Brunt (76no) and Amy Jones (50) rebuilt the innings with a steady 90-run partnership, with the England No 4 bringing up her 21st ODI fifty from 49 deliveries. Jones followed her to the landmark shortly after with her half-century coming off the same number of balls, before Brooke Halliday (1-29) had her caught behind.

Sciver-Brunt then marshalled England to victory, hitting a single past square leg off Devine to seal the deal with 20 balls to spare as the hosts posted 212-5.

Watch the best of Nat Sciver-Brunt’s innings

Bell shines bright with ball

New Zealand’s opener Georgia Plimmer (seven) was run out for the second time in the ODI series after a direct hit by Charlie Dean at backward point off the bowling of Bell in the powerplay.

Kate Cross (2-46) drew out a thick edge from Suzie Bates (24) who was caught brilliantly behind the stumps by a diving Jones.

Devine (43) and Amelia Kerr (57) helped rebuild steadily with a 68-run third-wicket partnership to counteract England’s early breakthroughs, taking their side to 109-2.

Bell bowled Devine with a fuller delivery that was angling in which the New Zealand skipper under-edged onto her stumps for a timely wicket.

Take a look back on Lauren Bell’s five-for as the England seamer claimed her career-best ODI figures in the third match of the series against New Zealand

Maddy Green (five) drove Cross fiercely through the covers for four but was trapped lbw with a fuller length delivery in the same over and was unable to review the on-field decision as DRS was down.

Halliday (31) and Kerr provided New Zealand with much-needed middle-order resistance with a 65-run stand, with the latter batter bringing up her 10th half-century in ODI cricket.

Bell struck twice in three balls in the 38th over, trapping Kerr lbw with a full and straight delivery before Halliday, who was dropped by Bouchier on 25 at cover, edged behind to Jones, leaving the White Ferns 182-6.

Izzy Gaze (four) miscued a back-of-a-hand slow delivery from Bell to covers where she was caught by Sciver-Brunt.

Lauren Down (14) cleared the ropes at long-off to bring up New Zealand’s 200 in style, off Sciver-Brunt’s bowling – she looked in good form after bowling the most overs since her knee injury.

Bell mixed up her line and length in the final over with another back-of-the-hand delivery that saw the end of Down as she wrapped up the innings with a five-for and career-best figures.

Sciver-Brunt and Jones impress with bat

Beaumont (0) was dropped on the first ball of their chase after she edged Rowe behind to Gaze, who was unable to take a clean catch. The New Zealand pace bowler struck four balls later, though, trapping the England opener lbw. The decision was given out on the field and Beaumont walked without reviewing, but the replay showed the ball was missing leg stump comfortably.

Tammy Beaumont walks without reviewing what would have saved her from going for a duck

Rowe struck again in the seventh over, taking the big scalp of Knight (nine), who got a leading edge off a shorter delivery that clubbed straight back to the bowler.

Bouchier (19) shaped up to play the pull shot but bailed out and the indecision cost England a wicket after she toe-ended through to the ‘keeper, leaving the hosts 33-3.

Sophia Dunkley (15) was unable to have a huge impact in England’s chase after she miscued a cut shot and feathered behind to Gaze, who had a busy day behind the stumps.

Jones (50) smashed seven boundaries during her outing, although she was dropped by Kerr on 40 in the 28th over, and brought up her 14th ODI half-century with a leading edge that dropped wide of point.

Amy Jones departs shortly after bringing up her half-century

Jones departed after reaching her milestone and was dismissed on review after she edged behind to Gaze.

Alice Capsey (35no) and Sciver-Brunt then shared an unbeaten 50-run partnership to ease England over the victory line comfortably.

Bell: I’ve made mental changes to my game

Player of the match, England seamer Lauren Bell after her career-best five-wicket haul:

“I was really happy with today. They built partnerships really well, but I think I was pretty clear with what was good on this wicket.

“Since Durham, I’ve made a few changes to the mental side of it. The skill is there, it’s just applying that in a game and I think did that today.”

Knight: We’ve got to keep it going

England captain Heather Knight:

“I think we were put under pressure today. We had to find a way to claw it back and I think we did that brilliantly, so I’m super happy.

“It’s a really great place to be. There are so many players performing well, which is a really good sign for us.

“I think we’re getting smarter. We’ve evolved a little bit as a team in terms of having that smartness and trying to dominate when we can.

“That’s a really pleasing thing and we’ve got a huge T20 series leading into the World Cup later this year. We’re going great at the moment, we’ve just got to keep it going and the challenge is to keep doing that for the rest of the summer.”

Devine: We showed resilience in this game

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine:

“I thought we showed a bit of resilience. We’ve obviously been absolutely trounced the last two games, and to come back and show a bit of ticker is really pleasing.

“A couple of results doesn’t define us as a team.

“We had to be at our best and we weren’t quite there today. There are a lot of players out there who are stepping up and learning on the job.”

What’s next?

England face New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting on July 6 at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton, live on Sky Sports.

England vs New Zealand T20I series dates

July 6: 1st Women’s IT20 – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
July 9: 2nd Women’s IT20 – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove
July 11: 3rd Women’s IT20 – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence
July 13: 4th Women’s IT20 – The Kia Oval, London
July 17: 5th Women’s IT20 – Lord’s, London

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Leona Maguire grabs early lead at Aramco Team Series event in London as Charley Hull withdraws mid-round | Golf News

Leona Maguire grabs early lead at Aramco Team Series event in London as Charley Hull withdraws mid-round | Golf News
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Leona Maguire produced a brilliant birdie burst to grab a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Aramco Team Series event in London, where Solheim Cup team-mate Charley Hull was forced to withdraw mid-round.

Maguire made five birdies in a six-hole stretch on her way to a bogey-free 66 at the Centurion Club, lifting her to seven under and a shot clear of Austria’s Sarah Schober.

The Irishwoman made back-to-back birdies from the fifth and made three more from the eighth around the par-73 layout, then took advantage of the par-five 13th to pull level with Schober.

Maguire also birdied the par-five 15th to grab the outright lead and closed out her round with three straight pars, on a day where only 23 of the 108 players in the field finished in red figures, with the Solheim Cup star also sharing the lead in the team competition with Nuria Iturrioz and Georgia Hall.

“We were all making a few birdies today which always helps and there were no dropped shots on the team card either which I think helps a lot in these conditions,” Maguire said. “It was very comfortable out there and nice to roll in a few.”


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Iturrioz birdied three of her last six holes to post a four-under 69 and share third spot with England’s Megan Dennis and Wales Chloe Williams, while Hall is within four of the early lead thanks to an opening-round 70.

“I could have hit it a bit closer today,” Hall said. “My irons and distance control wasn’t that good but all in all we battled really well together. When one of us made a bogey, the other two came in and that’s what’s really important in this team format.”

MIDLAND, MI - JUNE 28: LPGA golfer Georgia Hall plays her tee shot on the 4th hole during the second round of the LPGA Dow Championship on June 28, 2024, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
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Georgia Hall is searching for a first victory of the season

Maguire team contains England’s Liz Young, Spain’s Marta Sanz Barrio and amateur Yana Wilson, while Hall’s quartet contains Hannah Burke, Morocco’s Lina Belmati and amateur Shane Hart-Jones, with the three teams sharing top spot on 14 under.

Hall withdrew from the event on medical grounds having played six holes of her opening round, with the Englishwoman now hoping to be fit for next week’s Amundi Evian Championship – the fourth women’s major of the year.

Watch the Aramco Team Series event in London throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Thursday from 3.30pm on Sky Sports Mix, the red button on Sky Sports Golf and – for free on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. . Stream the Ladies European Tour and more with NOW.

Dow Championship: American duo Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho take lead into final round | Golf News

Dow Championship: American duo Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho take lead into final round | Golf News
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Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho handled a strong wind and the tough foursomes format for a three-under 67 on Saturday, giving the American duo a one-shot lead going into the final round of the Dow Championship.

The South Korean tandem of Haeji Kang and In Kyung Kim was tied for second with a team of former No 1s in Atthaya Thitikul and Ruoning Yin. The final round is fourballs, the easier format to score.

Ewing finally got a birdie putt to fall from about 18 feet on the 10th hole, and they picked up another birdie on the par-5 11th. A soft bogey on the 16th hole dropped them back into a tie and then Ewing hit a good tee shot on the par-3 18th to set up Kupcho’s birdie.

“I didn’t really know where we stood. I knew we were near the top,” Kupcho said.

“Honestly, I don’t think it matters going into tomorrow. One shot lead isn’t that much when it’s the format of best ball tomorrow. Like somebody can go out and shoot 11 under. It’s just going out and focusing on our own game tomorrow.”

They were at 15-under in the only official team event on the LPGA schedule. Kupcho won it two years ago with Lizette Salas.

Kang and In Kim had the low score of the day, a 65 that included an eagle on the par-4 fifth hole where the tees were moved forward to make it reachable. Kang hit driver to near perfection, over the water setting up a short eagle putt.

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They were at 6 under for the round until the South Koreans made their lone bogey on the 18th.

Thitikul of Thailand and Yin of China lost some momentum in the easier fourballs format on Friday, a 66 that was who shots worse than their opening foursomes score. And then they got off to a rough start, making bogey on the par-5 third hole and taking a double bogey on the next one.

But they picked up the pace and again thrived in foursomes. They responded to the double bogey with three straight birdies, and they picked up four more birdies on the back nine. Thitikul polished it off with a 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole.

“We had a rough start, which is me being stupid,” Yin said.

“I made a couple of mistakes, and Jeeno just talked to me and say, Hey, I know we just need to hit the ball, and we’ll make birdies. I have you; you have me. That’s all you need to know.’

“Yeah, we bounced back in the way we were tough out there.”

Australia’s Grace Kim and Auston Kim, an LPGA rookie from Florida, were part of a five-way tie for the lead going into the third round.

They managed a 69 as they scrambled to stay in position in the tough wind.

Also two shots back were Amanda Doherty and Caroline Inglis, who posted a 66. Lexi Thompson and Brooke Henderson were six shots out of the lead, but they had 14 teams in front of them. They fell back with a 71 in which they managed only one birdie.

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Austrian GP: Lando Norris says he could ‘lose respect’ for Max Verstappen after crash in battle for lead | F1 News

Austrian GP: Lando Norris says he could ‘lose respect’ for Max Verstappen after crash in battle for lead | F1 News
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Lando Norris says he will “lose a lot of respect” for Max Verstappen if his championship rival doesn’t accept responsibility for causing a collision between them as they battled for the lead of the Austrian Grand Prix.

McLaren’s Norris was attempting to pass Red Bull’s Verstappen with eight laps to go when the pair made contact at Turn 3, with the stewards later giving the Dutchman a 10-second penalty for causing the collision.

Both cars sustained damage, with Verstappen pitting before finishing fifth, while the more severe harm done to the McLaren forced Norris to retire from the race, as Mercedes’ George Russell claimed an unlikely victory.

The end result ultimately aided Verstappen’s quest for a fourth successive drivers’ title, with the 10 points he scored extending his lead over second-placed Norris to 81.

“I’m disappointed, nothing more than that, honestly,” Norris told Sky Sports F1. “It was a good race. I looked forward to probably I’d say just a fair battle, a strong fair battle. But I wouldn’t say that’s what it was in the end.

McLaren driver Lando Norris was left fuming after his collision with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen saw him have to retire from the Austrian Grand Prix

“Tough one to take. It was a mistake-free race from my side, and I feel like I did a good job but I got taken out of the race, so nothing more than that.”

Asked whether the incident would impact his strong friendship with Verstappen, Norris added: “I don’t know. It depends what he says. If he says he did nothing wrong, then I’ll lose a lot of respect for that.

“If he admits to being a bit stupid and running into me and just being a bit reckless in a way, then I’ll have a small amount of respect for it.

McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen engaged in an exhilarating battle for the race lead before the pair crashed into one another, as George Russell ended up capitalising to win the Austrian Grand Prix

“But it’s still a tough one to take when we’re fighting for the win and I’m trying to be fair from my side and he just wasn’t. That’s not what I’m thinking about. I don’t care about that now. I’m just gutted for the team.”

Verstappen had appeared to be easing towards victory for much of the afternoon but a slow final pit stop from Red Bull brought Norris back into the contest and set up a grandstand finish.

With Norris within DRS range of Verstappen, the pair battled for several laps with each complaining over team radio about the other’s driving.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes Lando Norris was given enough space to avoid crashing into Max Verstappen, while McLaren boss Andrea Stella believes the Red Bull driver was at fault for the incident

Asked whether the stewards should have intervened before the collision, Norris said: “Yeah. I mean there’s a rule. You’re not allowed to react to the other driver and that’s what he did three times out of three. Two times I managed to avoid it and not lock up and run into him, and the third time he just ran into me.

“I was just trying to drive my race. He was clearly a lot slower at the end. He ruined his own race just as much as he ruined mine. There’s nothing more I can do. I did my best and it was good enough. Got ruined through not my own fault.”

Verstappen: I will talk about incident with Norris

Verstappen insisted that he was not guilty of moving under braking, despite that being the consensus among Sky Sports F1′s pundits.

“Of course from the outside it’s hard to see when I brake. I know in the past it was a bit of a complaint,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1.

Anthony Davidson was at the SkyPad to give his verdict on whether Max Verstappen or Lando Norris was at fault for the crash which saw both of them surrender the chance of winning

“Now I always move my wheel before I brake then you brake in a straight line trajectory. It’s always easy to say on the outside that I’m moving under the braking, but I think the guy in the car knows best what he’s doing.

“Everyone can have their own opinion but I’m the one driving. I’m in control. Of course, from the outside it’s easy to judge and comment but whatever, it’s what happens.”

Asked about Norris’ comments over a potential loss of respect, Verstappen offered a calm response.

“I need to look back at how or why we touched,” he said. “Of course, we will talk about it. It’s just unfortunate it happened.

George Russell wins the Austrian Grand Prix after Lando Norris and Max Verstappen collided

“I felt like sometimes he dive-bombed so late on the brakes. One time he went straight. One time I had to go around the sausage otherwise we would have touched.

“I think it’s also the shape of the corner provides these kind of issues sometimes. I’ve had it also the other way around. It is what it is. It’s never nice to come together.”

More to follow…

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PGA Tour: Akshay Bhatia and Aaron Rai keep lead at tight Rocket Mortgage Classic | Golf News

PGA Tour: Akshay Bhatia and Aaron Rai keep lead at tight Rocket Mortgage Classic | Golf News
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Akshay Bhatia and England’s Aaron Rai shot four-under-par 68s to remain co-leaders through the third round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Saturday in Detroit.

American Bhatia and Rai began the round sharing the lead, but the overall leaderboard has tightened. Rai had five birdies and a bogey, while Bahatia navigated his third consecutive round without a bogey.

They are both at 17-under 199 going into Sunday’s final round.

Cameron Young (67), who birdied three of his last five holes, and Australia’s Cam Davis (66), who had birdies on three of his first four holes and completed a bogey-free round, are one shot back at 16 under.

Sam Stevens (66), who birdied the final two holes, and South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen (68), who did not register a bogey, are at 15 under.

Amateur Luke Clanton (65), Joel Dahmen (68) and Australia’s Min Woo Lee (66) are tied for seventh at 14 under. Clanton climbed to a share of second place by the time he finished his third round before others took advantage of scoring chances in the early evening.

“It’s my first PGA Tour event and to be in contention where I’m at right now is awesome,” Clanton said.

Clanton, a 20-year-old Florida State golfer, played earlier in the month in the US Open, making the cut and tying for 41st place. On Saturday, he eagled the par-five 14th hole, just two holes after his only bogey of the round.

Defending champion Rickie Fowler shot 67 and moved to 11 under. The start of the third round had a significant delay and tee times were revised, with golfers using the first and 10th tees as starting spots.

Will Zalatoris, citing a back injury, withdrew during the third round. He was seven under through the first two rounds. but three over through eight holes on Saturday before ending his round.

Watch the final round of the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic live on Sky Sports Golf from 4.30pm on Sunday. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more, without a contract, with NOW.

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Grace Kim hole in one earns her team share of Dow Championship lead after second round | Golf News

Grace Kim hole in one earns her team share of Dow Championship lead after second round | Golf News
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Grace Kim had a hole-in-one and combined with Auston Kim for eight birdies for a nine-under 61 and that earns them a five-way share of the lead in the Dow Championship.

The best score of the second round actually belonged to the Danish pair Nicole Broch Estrup and Nanna Koertz Madsen, who birdied their last two holes for a 10-under-par 60.

Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho of the United States had a 64, the same score they had in foursomes during the opening round, to also sit in among the bunched leaders at 12 under, along with the Thailand tandem of Jaravee Boonchant and Chanettee Wannasaen and Taiwan duo of Ssu-chia Cheng and Wei-Ling Hsu.

Three other teams, including England’s Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, are one shot behind. Lexi Thompson and Brooke Henderson are two shots back at 10 under.

Grace Kim said of her ace at the par-three seventh hole: “I’ve had a lot of close shaves, and this is actually my first one, so it’s very exciting.

“I was obviously just trying to put it close. All I see is it kind of disappear.”

Grace and Austin Kim birdied their next hole, and then had five more on the back nine.

“A lot of good came from that hole, courtesy of Grace,” Auston said. “It felt really positive going forward from there.”

Watch coverage from day three of the Dow Championship, live on Sky Sports Golf from 11pm on Saturday.

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England vs New Zealand: Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier lead hosts to nine-wicket win in opening ODI | Cricket News

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A century opening stand by Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier set England Women on their way a crushing nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening match of their ODI series in Chester-le-Street.

Although skipper Sophie Devine won the toss, New Zealand slumped from a relatively strong position of 56-1 to 156 all out inside 34 overs at Seat Unique Riverside after batting first despite a battling 51 from Brooke Halliday.

Spinner Charlie Dean did most of the damage for the hosts, taking 4-38 from nine overs, and was backed up 2-28 from fellow slow bowler Sophie Ecclestone to leave Heather Knight’s side with a relatively comfortable target to chase.

England never looked in danger of failing to overhaul New Zealand’s total as Beaumont (76no) and Bouchier (67) flayed the bowling attack to all parts in a 137-run opening partnership, setting the hosts on course to go 1-0 up in the three-match series with 172 balls to spare.

Dean burst helps skittle White Ferns

Having won the toss and chosen to bat first, New Zealand made a strong start which included opener Suzie Bates clattering three fours off England’s new-ball seamers inside the first three overs.

However, Lauren Filer – in for the injured Kate Cross – removed the experienced right-hander with a sumptuous delivery which beat Bates all ends up and saw her heading back to the pavilion after cracking 16 from 12 deliveries.

The tourists set about rebuilding, led by Bates’ fellow opener Georgia Plimmer and new batter Amelia Kerr, yet a lack of communication and some quick thinking in the field by England led to the former departing for 29 after being run out from Maia Bouchier’s throw to wicketkeeper Amy Jones in the 10th over.

A mix-up between the batters saw England seize the advantage and run out New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer.

The introduction of Ecclestone into the attack the following over saw her make an immediate impact too, tempting Melie Kerr into a rash stroke which was comfortably caught by Jones to see her depart for just 10 and leave New Zealand 68-3.

That sent the White Ferns into a tailspin from which they never recovered, with Ecclestone making it two wickets in as many overs by tempting Devine (13) into edging one to Jones followed by Nat Sciver-Brunt, who was limited to bowling just five overs, trapping Maddy Green lbw for two.

Halliday was the lone resistance for New Zealand, leading the way with the fifth half-century of her ODI career, but received precious little support as Dean got stuck into New Zealand’s middle and lower order.

Isabella Gaze (12) and Hannah Rowe (0) both trapped lbw by the off-break bowler, while Jess Kerr (10) edged a delivery down the off side through to the wicketkeeper and Molly Penfold (1) was bowled by one which spun back into her.

England bowled out New Zealand for 156 in their first ODI at the Riverside Ground.

The innings was then wrapped up with more than 17 overs of the allotted 50 remaining when Halliday, who hit seven fours and one six, tried one big shot too many and was caught by Knight off Sarah Glenn, leaving England chasing 157 for victory.

Beaumont and Bouchier blast England to win

England could hardly have asked for a better start to the chase as Beaumont followed a no-ball first up from Penfold with back-to-back boundaries, and her and Bouchier raced to a half-century partnership inside the first seven overs.

Beaumont raced to 50 from just 46 balls as well, bringing her 20th ODI half-century up in style with a big six back down the ground off spinner Kerr in the 14th over and that was soon followed by Bouchier doing likewise to take the partnership past 100.

The 25-year-old went past the 50 mark for the second time in ODIs off the last ball of the over too with a four, but her dismissal for 67 from 50 balls, which included 12 fours and one six, with England still needing 20 for victory denied the hosts a first-ever 10-wicket over the White Ferns in this format.

England Women v New Zealand Women - First ODI - Seat Unique Riverside England Women's Tammy Beaumont during the first women's one day international match at Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street. Picture date: Wednesday June 26, 2024.
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Tammy Beaumont top-scored for England with an unbeaten 76

Beaumont successfully overturned an lbw decision against her via DRS while on 66 and then survived one from New Zealand the following delivery, and fittingly she hit the winning runs with a four through the covers to finish unbeaten on 76 from just 69 balls, including 11 fours and one six.

What they said

England captain Heather Knight:

“The way we attacked that game was brilliant.

“We kept looking for wickets throughout their innings which was really pleasing after we got on top with a few early ones – bowling them out for 156 on a really good pitch.

“Then the nonchalance from the top two [Beaumont and Bouchier] was very entertaining to watch. It was a masterclass.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine:

“We’re really disappointed with our performance.

“The start we got with the bat was actually exceptional, we put them under pressure, but they then showed our skill in terms of being able to peg us back.

“For us, we’ve got to trust the work we’ve been doing over the past six or seven weeks. Today is disappointing but we’ve got to move on quickly and come back harder in the next game.”

What’s next?

England can secure victory in the ODI leg of New Zealand’s tour with victory in the second of the three-match series on Sunday, June 30. That match at Worcester’s New Road starts at 11am and is live on Sky Sports Cricket.

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Women’s PGA Championship: Amy Yang takes two-shot lead into final round as Charley Hull stutters | Golf News

Women’s PGA Championship: Amy Yang takes two-shot lead into final round as Charley Hull stutters | Golf News
On: By: admin


Amy Yang takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the Women’s PGA Championship as a late triple bogey dented Charley Hull’s challenge.

The South Korean, chasing her first major victory at the Sahalee Country Club in Washington state, shot a third-round 71.

American Lauren Hartlage carded a 69 to move into second alongside Japan’s Miyu Yamashita with overnight joint leader a further stroke back after a 74.

Women’s Open champion Lilia Vu carded the best round of the day with a 68 to be in a group on three-under-par – four off the lead – which includes Lexi Thompson, seeking a major title after announcing her retirement from full-time golf at the end of the season.

England’s Hull was within two of the lead after three successive birdies at the start of her back nine, but a six on the par three 17th after finding water off the tee dropped her to a tie for 12th, six shots off the pace.

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Charley Hull six shots off the pace after nightmare triple bogey on the 17th hole at Sahalee Country Club

“My mate yesterday goes, ‘what happened to you on 17 yesterday? You nearly hit it in the water’,” said Hull, who has been battling a knee injury.

“So got to the tee box and I’m thinking to myself, I never nearly hit in the water. Then I’m thinking about the water and just fatted it into the water. It’s human.

“It wasn’t like me. I played so well out there today and didn’t do one thing wrong and got up and down when I needed to. But I’m still positive going into tomorrow’s round. Anything can happen.”

Amy Yang, of South Korea, hits from the fifth tee during the third round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament at Sahalee Country Club, Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Sammamish, Wash. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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Amy Yang takes a two-shot lead into Sunday’s final round

Yang, 34, has carded just three bogeys in 54 holes as she looks to add a major title to her five LPGA Tour wins.

“I grew up watching so many great players in the past, and I saw them winning all the major championships,” she said. “I dreamed about playing out here because of them. I work hard for this.

“It’ll mean a lot, but we still have 18 more holes out there and that’s a lot of golf left for a major championship.”

Who will win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship? Watch the final round live on Sunday from 5pm on Sky Sports Mix. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more, without a contract, with NOW.