Update on the latest sports
GOLF-WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN
Olympic champ Korda shares lead at Women’s British Open
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland (AP) — Top-ranked Nelly Korda has begun her bid for a second major title by shooting 5-under 67 in the first round to share the clubhouse lead at the Women’s British Open. She is playing her first event since winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics two weeks ago. Korda rolled in a 5-foot putt at No. 18 for her eighth birdie of a round that also contained three bogeys in overcast, chilly but largely wind-free conditions over the links at Carnoustie. Korda was tied for the lead with Madelene Sagstrom. The Swede surrendered the lead by driving into a bunker at the last and missing a 10-footer for par.
PGA-NORTHERN TRUST-REED
Reed withdraws from Northern Trust with ankle injury
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Patrick Reed is out of The Northern Trust with an ankle injury. The PGA Tour did not have other details on the nature of the injury.
The timing is not great for Reed with Ryder Cup qualifying ending after next week. He is No. 9 in the U.S. standings and only the top six automatically qualify for the team. It also doesn’t help his FedEx Cup prospects. Reed is No. 22 in the FedEx Cup. He’s set for next week if healthy. But it now becomes a challenge to stay in the top 30 for the Tour Championship.
INDYCAR-IOWA RETURN
IndyCar to return to Iowa Speedway for 2022 doubleheader
UNDATED (AP) — IndyCar will return to Iowa Speedway for a July doubleheader next season.
Iowa is a short oval track beloved by fans and drivers that had fallen off the schedule after 14 years. Iowa Speedway opened in 2006 and IndyCar added it to its schedule the next season. IndyCar ran 15 races at the track, including a doubleheader last year during the pandemic.
IndyCar needed the track back on the schedule as an additional oval but couldn’t return without a sponsor. Grocery chain Hy-Vee is the title sponsor for next year’s event.
MLB-OBIT-FREEHAN
Bill Freehan, catcher on 1968 champion Detroit Tigers, dies at 79
DETROIT (AP) — Bill Freehan, a hero of the 1968 Detroit Tigers, has died at age 79.
Freehan spent his entire 15-year career with Detroit and was an 11-time All-Star. The cause of death was not disclosed Thursday, but family members in recent years have publicly stated that Freehan had Alzheimer’s disease.
The Tigers offered condolences to Freehan’s family with a “heavy heart.”
In Game 5 of the ’68 World Series, Freehan tagged Lou Brock in a crucial play at home plate. Detroit won the game and the series. The result was best captured by a famous photo of pitcher Mickey Lolich jumping into the arms of his catcher.
OLYMPICS-SIMONE’S MESSAGE
Biles: Mental health advocacy part of post-Olympic tour
UNDATED (AP) — Simone Biles says she wouldn’t change anything about her second Olympic experience. The American gymnast exited five of the six finals at the Tokyo Games to focus on her mental health. Biles says it was a small sacrifice to make if it opens the door for others to realize it’s OK to say they’re not OK.
Biles says she is making the importance of proper mental health a focal point of her post-Olympic exhibition tour. The tour will include several of her Olympic teammates and it starts in Arizona in late September.
