Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Els makes strong start at U.S. Open, despite late bogeys
Ernie Els celebrated the 20th anniversary of his U.S. Open triumph at Congressional by turning back the clock with a rousing performance in the first round at Erin Hills on Thursday. The 47-year-old South African, known as 'The Big Easy' for his mellifluous swing, reached four-under after 16 holes in the 117th U.S. Open before fading a touch at the end with a pair of closing bogeys to finish the opening round at two-under-par 70.
Golf: Defending champion Johnson off-target at U.S. Open
Big-hitting Dustin Johnson was one of the biggest disappointments in Thursday's opening round of the U.S. Open as the defending champion and world number one shot three-over 75 to languish 10 shots behind leader Rickie Fowler. Johnson may deserve a pass since he arrived late for preparations at Erin Hills to be on hand for Monday's birth of his second child with partner Paulina Gretzky in California.
Blazing birdie run puts Hadwin in U.S. Open hunt
Canada's Adam Hadwin tied a U.S. Open record by firing six consecutive birdies on Thursday to roar up the leaderboard and into contention for a first major. Playing the back nine first at the links-style Erin Hills layout, Hadwin was sputtering along at two-over par through eight holes when he suddenly clicked into gear with a birdie at the par-five 18th.
Inspired by Fowler, Casey revels in fun round at Erin Hills
Inspired by watching Rickie Fowler on TV tear up rain-softened Erin Hills in Thursday's morning wave, England's Paul Casey went out and fired an opening round six-under 66 to trail the American by one. "I'm a Rickie Fowler fan, and the golf he produced this morning was beautiful," Casey told reporters.
Fowler on target as U.S. Open big guns fail to fire
American Rickie Fowler tamed Erin Hills to claim the first-round lead at the U.S. Open on Thursday, making the so-called toughest test in golf look easy with a record-equalling display while the big guns failed to fire. With only a gentle breeze and rains having taken the bite out of the monstrous 7,845-yard course, players tore apart the links-style layout, attacking the pins with bravado on a day when 17 competitors broke 70.
Murray supports radical rule changes being tested in Milan
World number one Andy Murray has voiced his support for changes designed to speed up tennis being tested at the inaugural Next Generation ATP Finals in Milan this November. The tournament for the leading tour players aged 21 and under will feature a new scoring system, no lets, limited medical time-outs and shot clocks as the men's governing body seeks ways to appeal to younger audiences.
Golf: Canadian Henderson shoots 63 to lead LPGA in Michigan
Canadian teenager Brooke Henderson plundered an eight-under-par 63 for a one-stroke lead over Lexi Thompson and five others after the first round at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Thursday. Henderson recorded an eagle and six birdies at Blythefield Country Club.
Australia's Stosur in doubt for Wimbledon: report
Former U.S. Open winner Samantha Stosur is in doubt for Wimbledon next month after suffering stress fractures in her right hand, Australian media reported on Friday. The 33-year-old was hampered by the injury during her fourth round loss to eventual champion Jelena Ostapenko at Roland Garros earlier this month.
Heavyweight champ Wilder arrested in Alabama on marijuana charge
Heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder has been arrested in Alabama for marijuana possession, Tuscaloosa police said on Thursday. After Wilder was pulled over on Wednesday for having windows tinted beyond the legal limit, officers smelled marijuana coming from inside his Cadillac Escalade, they said.
Missed fairways leave McIlroy in rough shape at U.S. Open
Rory McIlroy said before the U.S. Open that if a player could not hit the broad fairways at Erin Hills he might as well go home. After a disastrous opening round 78 on Thursday, 'home' may be where the world number two is headed. McIlroy was two-under through two after a par-eagle start, but his accuracy from the tee then seemed to desert him. He hit just five of 14 fairways for his round and ended six-over par, leaving him with a mountain to climb to make the cut on Friday.