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SPORTS SATURDAY | JUNE 21, 2025

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T HAILAND’S Jeeno Thitikul overcame an early double bogey to finish with the first-round lead at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship yester day in Frisco, Texas. Thitikul shot a 4-under 68 at Fields Ranch East to hold a one-stroke edge over Australia’s Minjee Lee. Yealimi Noh, South Korea’s Somi Lee and Haeran Ryu and Japan’s Rio Takeda are tied for third at 70. A nine-way tie for seventh place at 71 features Auston Kim, Angel Yin, Taiwan’s Peiyun Chien, Japan’s Yuna Nishimura and Chisato Iwai and South Korea’s In Gee Chun, Youmin Hwang, Shinsil Bang and Kumkang Park. The event is the third of the year’s five LPGA majors. Thitikul double-bogeyed the par-4 fifth hole and was 2-over through six holes. She then went on a tear, birdieing five of the next seven holes, and she added another birdie at No. 17 w hile completing a bogey-free back nine. “I think my putter went really well today,” Thitikul said. “You know, like in the front nine we had a lot of breeze going and more than the back nine, but (I made putts at) 7, 8, 9, which boost the confidence up making the turn to the back nine.” Thitikul earned her fifth career LPGA

Jeeno out in front Thitikul grabs first-round lead at Women’s PGA

Jeeno Thitikul. – AFPPIC

more just the heat that’s draining your focus, so it’s going to be a big factor come the next few days.” World No. 1 Nelly Korda is tied for 16th at 72. Japan’s Mao Saigo, the winner of the year’s first major, the Chevron Championship, is tied for 26th at 73. Sweden’s Maja Stark, who captured the US Open title earlier this month, shot a 75, tied for 58th. –Field Level Media

victory last month at the Mizuho Americas Open after capturing the Tour Championship in November. She credited her experience with helping her shake off the double bogey. “I think like all the majors that I have told myself (to) just really be patient,“ she said. “I definitely know that I going to miss a shot, and I have. “I really told myself just be patient and focused on the next shot, because (in the) majors you (are) going to miss anyway. What a way to bounce back. It’s more important.” Minjee Lee produced an eventful round that included seven birdies and five bogeys – including bogeys at No. 1 and No. 18. She said of the start of her pursuit of a third major title, “Obviously there will be bogeys, but I think for me, I just try to stay patient. “If I make a bogey, I just try it back it up with something better than that. “Yeah, can’t get ahead of yourself, especially in this kind of weather. I think it’s

Scheffler tied for Travelers lead

F1 driver breaks rank with surprise comments on movie

AFTER denying that TPC River Highlands is too easy, Scottie Scheffler was on pace for a round of 59 yesterday in the opening round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut. Instead, the World No. 1 and defending champion carded an 8-under 62, tying Austin Eckroat for the 18-hole lead. At the US$20 million (RM86m) signature event, the last of the regular season, Scheffler and Eckroat are two shots ahead of Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Wyndham Clark and 2023 Travelers champion Keegan Bradley (6 under 64). Scheffler was 9-under through 15 holes at the par-70 course but settled for par at No. 16 and made his only bogey of the day at No. 17 after overshooting the green. Scheffler, who shot 59 once before in his PGA Tour career (2020 Northern Trust), said the potential milestone didn’t enter his mind. “When I came out to do my warmup it was still pretty calm. By the time I got to the first tee, it was blowing 20 miles an hour and it was sustained at that for most of our round,” Scheffler said of the conditions. “It maybe went down to 10, to 12 and then it would gust to 30. It was pretty challenging out there.” The low round came one day after Scheffler said he didn’t believe TPC River Highlands was too easy for tour professionals. The winning scores the past two years have been 23 and 22

twice on tour last year but is struggling this season, as he ranks outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup race. McIlroy continued his upward trajectory after missing the cut at the RBC Canadian Open and tying for 19th at the US Open. He made three birdies on each nine while keeping a bogey-free card. McIlroy played alongside Bradley, the US captain for the upcoming Ryder Cup. “There was definitely a lot more ‘Captain America’ and ‘USA’ chants out there, which is cool,” the European star said. “It’s cool for Keegan to be here, be the U.S. Ryder Cup captain and obviously get all that support.” Cameron Young is alone in sixth at 5-under 65, and a large tie at 4 under 66 included Norway’s Viktor Hovland, England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Australia’s Jason Day. – Field Level Media

under par. “I’ve always had a preference for the tougher tests that we have,” he added Thursday. “That’s always been my preference since I was a young kid. I like the challenge of playing difficult golf courses, and I like the challenge of playing against really good fields, as well.” Earlier in the day, Eckroat put up a bogey-free 62 highlighted by an eagle birdie-birdie stretch at Nos. 13-15. The eagle came on a 35 1/2 foot putt. The 26 year -old wo n

F1: THE MOVIE would have hoped to get glowing endorsements from drivers on the grid ahead of their worldwide release, but Williams star Carlos Sainz cautioned fans that the new Brad Pitt film about the sport might not be for the purists. However, he has urged fans to keep an open mind about the Hollywood flick and believes it could attract new followers. F1: The Movie is set to hit cinemas next week and had its global premiere on Monday. The stars of the sport assembled at Times Square in New York for the film’s debut, followed by a celebration at Rockefeller Centre after its screening. Sainz was in attendance along with Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and George Russell as the film starring Pitt gears up for release. The Hollywood heavyweight portrays Sonny Hayes, a driver lured back into the sport after retiring in the 1990s due to a terrifying crash. Lewis Hamilton was spotted alongside stars Pitt and Damson Idris, having contributed to the film’s production. The 40-year-old served as a consultant to ensure authenticity. While there would have been aspirations for the film to offer plenty of realism, there is optimism that F1: The Movie can help expand the sport’s fanbase,

especially in the United States. As such, there may need to be some tolerance for Hollywood spectacle. Speaking on the red carpet, Sainz believes the film can be enlightening for new fans and those who already adore the sport should find pleasure in the fiction. “There’s something for everyone for sure,” he said. “I’ll just say for the pure F1 fans, be open-minded to Hollywood films. For all the new fans, that’s our sport.” Reigning world champion and Red Bull ace Max Verstappen was notably absent from the festivities and has previously conceded that he might give the film a watch at some point, albeit without much anticipation, hoping instead for a pleasant surprise. He said: “I’m going home to my daughter. Whether I will watch that film at a later time? Maybe yes. “If it suits me or if someone else wants to see it, then I’m fine with it. And maybe I will be positively surprised. “I also sincerely hope that it is a good and successful film and that it has a positive effec t on Formula 1. “You just shouldn’t force me to go somewhere, because that’s not quite how it should be.” – Express Newspapers

Scottie Scheffler – REUTERSPIC

Team USA skipper Bradley savouring journey ahead of Ryder Cup

US CAPTAIN Keegan Bradley said yesterday that the only time he isn’t thinking about September’s Ryder Cup is when he is “inside the ropes Thursday through Sunday.” With the start of the Ryder Cup now less than 100 days away, Bradley fielded questions about the experience as he teed off yesterday in the Travelers Championship. “For the most part, I’m thinking only about the Ryder Cup,” the first-time captain said. “I’m looking at the points list. “I’m looking at potential pairings. I’m talking to the scouts. I’m talking to the vice captains.

can get,” Bradley said. “I think he’s a guy that people at Bethpage will really resonate with and a guy that on our team is the heartbeat. “He’s now the US Open champion. That’s a heavy burden to bear, but he’s also – that’s also a great thing to have on your team. “I’m really proud to have him on this team because it’s really difficult to make your first team. “To go out there the way he did this year and play in these big events this well is a testament to what a player he is.” – Field Level Media

honest. It’s taken me by surprise, and it’s just a treat to go out there and play every day as the Ryder Cup captain.” Bradley is still finalising the roster, but it sure sounded like JJ Spaun locked up a spot with his first major win on Sunday. “I think going to a course like Bethpage Black, the people are really going to be behind a guy like Spaun. His story is incredible. “He’s a hard working guy that’s just building and building and building his whole career. “To win the US Open at Oakmont, in my eyes, is the pinnacle of major golf. It’s as tough as you

We’re talking about strategy, bus ride schedules, media schedules.” The 45th Ryder Cup competition against the defending champions from Team Europe runs from Sept. 26-28 at Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York. Bradley, 39, was serenaded with chants of “USA” from the fans on Sunday when he made his final putt of the US Open, where he finished T33 at Oakmont Country Club. “Everywhere I go, I’m getting USA chants, people are cheering me on,” he said. “It’s been something that I hadn’t really expected, to be