Golf
Three down, two to go: Park wins U.S. Women’s Open
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Inbee Park won the U.S. Women’s Open on Sunday to make history with titles in the year’s first three majors.
The world’s top-ranked player finished at 8 under to win by four strokes. Her 2-over 74 in the final round was more than enough with Sebonack’s trying conditions keeping any rivals from making a run. Only three players were under par for the tournament.
Fellow South Korean I.K. Kim also shot 74 for her second runner-up finish at a major.
No player had ever won the first three majors in a year with at least four.
Ahead by four strokes at the start of the round, Park birdied the ninth and 10th holes to extend her lead. She has won six times already this year, including three consecutive tournaments. Park added a second U.S. Women’s Open title to another historic victory in 2008, when she became the event’s youngest champion at age 19.
Haas tames Congressional to win AT&T National
BETHESDA, Md. – Bill Haas won the AT&T National on Sunday and joined some distinguished company.
Haas pulled away from a crowd of contenders with three consecutive birdies, two key pars and one good hop out of the rough. It led to a 5-under 66 on a muggy day at Congressional and a three-shot win over Roberto Castro.
As many as six players had a share of the lead at some point until Haas rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt on No. 8. Worried about a splotch of mud on his ball, he hit his approach to just inside 12 feet for birdie on the par-5 ninth, and then hit a 5-iron to 10 feet for another birdie on the 10th.
Haas led by at least two shots the entire back nine, though he never allowed himself to think about winning until he stood over a 3-foot par putt on the 18th hole.
soccer
Fred and Neymar pace Brazil to Confederations Cup title
RIO DE JANEIRO – Fred scored two goals and Neymar added another as host Brazil convincingly defeated world champion Spain 3-0 to win the Confederations Cup on Sunday as protesters clashed with riot police outside the Maracana Stadium.
Fred put Brazil on the board less than two minutes into the match, Neymar added to the lead just before halftime, and Fred netted his fifth goal in five matches early in the second half to give Brazil victory. The win for the host nation surprisingly was easy against the current world champion.
Sergio Ramos missed a penalty kick for Spain in the 55th, sending his low shot wide.
Spain defender Gerard Pique was sent off with a straight red card for fouling Neymar in the 68th.
Auto Racing
Rosberg wins an explosive British Grand Prix
SILVERSTONE, England – Nico Rosberg won the British Grand Prix on Sunday after four drivers, including early leader Lewis Hamilton, had to deal with exploding tires and three-time champion Sebastian Vettel quit with 10 laps remaining because of mechanical problems.
With Vettel’s Red Bull teammate Mark Webber closing fast, Rosberg managed to win his second race of the year and third of his career by 0.7 seconds in a nail-biting finish – then had to survive a stewards inquiry.
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, who started ninth, made a late charge up the grid and got past Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen with two laps remaining to claim third. Hamilton also recovered to finish fourth, after his blown tire sent him to the back of the grid in the eighth lap.
Soon after celebrating, Rosberg risked seeing his victory slip away when he was referred to the stewards for not slowing down for yellow flags in turns 3 and 5. The stewards ruled that Rosberg “did not make a significant reduction in speed” but would only receive a reprimand, or warning. After three reprimands during a season, drivers are given a 10-place grid penalty. This was Rosberg’s first.
Associated Press
