ON THE LINKS

ON THE LINKS

More pro golf results from Frdiay

NORDEA MASTERS

MALMO, SWEDEN

Wales’ Jamie Donaldson shot his second straight 4-under 69 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead in the Nordea Masters. The three-time European Tour winner had five birdies and a bogey at Barseback. “There were times when the ball wasn’t where I wanted it to be, but I made some great escapes,” Donaldson said. “The chipping and putting has been better over the last couple of days. I have been playing quite nicely recently, but just not quite putting it all together. But the first couple of days here, I’ve been able to do that.” Italy’s Renato Paratore (72) was second, and France’s Benjamin Hebert (71) and Englishmen Graeme Storm (68) and Max Orrin (73) followed at 5 under. Swedish star Henrik Stenson was tied for 25th at 1 under after a 72.

SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J.

Anna Nordqvist knows how to get around Stockton Seaview — and likes the view from atop the ShopRite LPGA Classic leaderboard. The two-time defending champion shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the 54-hole event near Atlantic City. She’s trying to join fellow Swede Annika Sorenstam as the only three-time winner. Moriya Jutanugarn, Jeong Eun Lee, Jenny Shin and Jennifer Song were tied for second, and Paula Creamer, Pornanong Phatlum and In-Kyung Kim followed at 66. Moriya Jutanugarn is trying to win for the first time on the LPGA Tour, while younger sister Ariya — taking the week off — is in position to take the No. 1 spot in the world. Lydia Ko is skipping the event and will lose her No. 1 ranking to No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn or No. 3 So Yeon Ryu. Ryu had four straight bogeys in a 74 that left her tied for 98th — and in danger of missing the cut. She needs to finish solo third or better to take the top spot. Nordqvist had nine birdies and two bogeys. She started on No. 10 and birdied the first three holes, then birdied four of the last six holes of the day. Nordqvist won the Founders Cup in Phoenix in March for her seventh LPGA Tour title, a homecoming victory for the former Arizona State star. Stacy Lewis topped the group at 67. She won in 2012 and 2014 at Stockton Seaview. India’s Sharmila Nicollet shot a 76 after winning a fan Twitter poll to get the final sponsor exemption.

Associated Press