Golf
DALLAS – U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson withdrew from the Rio Games on Friday because of concerns over the Zika virus, costing golf three of the world’s top four players for its return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.
Jordan Spieth is the only player from the top four who has not said if he is going to Brazil. A decision could come as early as this weekend ahead of the British Open. Rickie Fowler also is undecided.
Johnson, No. 2 in the world after his U.S. Open title and another World Golf Championship victory last week, is the 13th player to pull out of the Rio Games. Eight of them, including world No. 1 Jason Day and world No. 4 Rory McIlroy, specifically have cited Zika as the reason.
SAN MARTIN, Calif. – World No. 1 Lydia Ko birdied the 18th hole to cap a 2-under 70 in the third round Saturday that put her in the lead of the U.S. Women’s Open, bolstering her chance for her third major title in less than a year.
The 19-year-old Ko became the youngest woman to win a major last year at the Evian Championship and followed that up by winning the ANA Inspiration this spring.
INVERNESS, Scotland – Alex Noren of Sweden birdied the last two holes to extend his lead to two shots at the Scottish Open on Saturday after a third round that ended in heavy rain at the Castle Stuart links.
Noren shot a 4-under 68 to move to 12-under, two clear of Tyrrell Hatton of England (66) and Matteo Manassero of Italy (68).
NBA
MIAMI – All-Star guard Dwyane Wade said Saturday that he intends to try to find ways to stop racial violence, and that he has friends who are willing to commit to the cause.
Two of Wade’s closest friends – Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James – have spoken out on social media in recent days in response to two recent shootings of black men by police officers. Then Thursday in Dallas, five police officers were killed and seven others wounded; one of the suspects allegedly said he was targeting white officers.
Soccer
CHICAGO – Hope Solo got her 100th international shutout, and Crystal Dunn scored in the 35th minute to lead the United States past South Africa 1-0 on Saturday at Soldier Field.
The match was a tuneup before next month’s Olympics. World Cup star Carli Lloyd returned for the first time since suffering a knee injury in April, playing part of the second half after entering as a substitute.
The U.S. has one more game against Costa Rica on July 22 in Kansas City before leaving for the Olympics in Brazil.
Associated Press
