Womens u s open

By Andrew Both (Reuters) – John Bodenhamer will be under almost as much pressure as the players to get things right at this week’s U.S. Open on his debut as the man responsible for setting up the Pebble Beach course. Following a series of self-inflicted wounds that have left some of the game’s biggest names, including Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson, in an almost mutinous-sounding mood, Bodenhamer is not shirking his responsibility. He says he will err on the side of caution by keeping the Pebble Beach greens a little slower than normal and that his staff will be ready to apply water mid-round if necessary to keep them from wilting and becoming unplayable. “The buck stops with me. I’ve had as many condolences as congratulations about that,” the United States Golf Association (USGA) senior managing director of championships told Reuters. “This year we’ll be more proactive. If the weather dictates, we’ll be ready to put that water on … [Read more...] about Not just players under pressure to get it right at U.S. Open

(Reuters) – China’s Yu Liu and Celine Boutier of France lead the chase for the first $1 million winner’s check in women’s golf after the former university team mates finished the third round of the U.S. Women’s Open tied at the top of a crowded leaderboard. Boutier drove the ball with unerring accuracy en route to a 69 in South Carolina on Saturday, while Liu recovered from an early bogey to pile up six birdies and card a five-under-par 66 that matched the best score of the day. The pair lead on seven-under 206 with Americans Lexi Thompson (68) and Jaye Marie Green (68) and Japan’s Mamiko Higa (71) one stroke behind at Country Club of Charleston, with six others within four shots of the lead. Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand is not among the contenders, eight shots behind in a tie for 27th after a birdie at the last for 69. Liu was stunned to be co-leader in her debut at the tournament. “I think this is something that’s … [Read more...] about Leaders Liu, Boutier ready to duke it out at U.S. Women’s Open

By Andrew Both CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) – Female golfers will play for a $1 million (790,451 pounds) first prize at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open, a first even if prize money continues to lag well behind the riches on offer in the men’s game. The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced the amount at the Country Club of Charleston on Tuesday, revealing a total purse of $5.5 million, up $500,000 from last year. That is less than half the record $12.5 million on offer at the men’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in two weeks’ time, though the $500,000 increase from last year is the same for both sexes. “We looked at it from the overall championship experience and just felt that those were the amounts that would be meaningful and would be impactful,” USGA senior managing director of championships John Bodenhamer told reporters. American world number eight Lexi Thompson said the purse announcement had been greeted positively by the … [Read more...] about U.S. Women’s Open winner will earn $1 million

(Reuters) - Serena Williams made a winning return to competitive action at the Hopman Cup on Monday but could not prevent the United States from losing 2-1 to Greece in their opening round-robin match.Williams, playing her first competitive match since losing the U.S. Open final to Naomi Osaka, powered past Maria Sakkari 7-6(3) 6-2 to level the Group B contest at 1-1 after Stefanos Tsitsipas had beaten American Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-7(3) 6-3.gi The 37-year-old, who had both ankles strapped and required medical attention in her singles match, then combined with Tiafoe but could not overcome Sakkari and Tsitsipas who won the mixed doubles rubber 4-1 1-4 4-2 to seal the tie."It's great to be back out in match day, and it's great to be back out here," said Williams, who will be chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open next month.Williams made a several unforced errors early on but overpowered her opponent with 13 aces and 29 winners, claiming two breaks en … [Read more...] about Tennis-Serena wins on return but U.S. lose Hopman Cup opener