Strong again at the top – “No stupid mistakes”

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LPGA TOUR

JM Eagle LA Championship 1/4. Last week, Maja Stark put in an impressive performance and finished second in the year’s first major, The Chevron Championship, the best finish of her career in a major competition.
The fine form continues and the 24-year-old was noted for six birdies and the rest par in the first round at Wilshire Country Club, Los Angeles. Stark’s round of 65 leaves her tied for second, one stroke behind leader Grace Kim.
It has now been 44 straight holes without a bogey for Stark.
– It feels good. And of course that’s how you want it. I think I’ve been more patient and haven’t made any stupid mistakes. “Obviously I’ve been close to making bogey but my putting has been better this past week,” Stark told the LPGA Tour after the round.

D2. Maja Stark, -6
D37. Pernilla Lindberg, E
D37. Linnea Ström, E
D99. Madelene Sagström, +3
D113. Daniela Holmqvist, +4

PGA TOUR

Zurich Classic of New Orleans 1/4. Henrik Norlander is playing with Luke List in this week’s pairs competition and they have got off to a good start. List/Norlander accounted for a round of 63, nine under par, during Thursday’s best ball. That leaves the pair two strokes off the lead shared by four pairs, including Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry.
Vincent Norrman paired with Spaniard Jorge Campillo was recorded for 66 strokes, six under par and that means that Campillo/Norrman are tied for 44th ahead of Friday’s foursome.

D1. McIlroy/Lowry, -11
D1. Brehm/Hubbard, -11
D1. Kohles/Kizzire, -11
D1. Rai/Lipsky, -11
…
D8. List/Norlander, -8
D44. Campillo/Norrman, -6

KORN FERRY TOUR

Veritex Bank Championship 1/4. Last week’s winner Tim Widing continues to play well. The Swede had a good round on the first day at Texas Rangers Golf Club – 62 strokes, nine under par. The basis for the bogey-free round was mainly laid in very skillful play with the irons towards the greens and stable putting. But despite 62 shots, Widing was nowhere near the American Frankie Capan III, who went a full 13 under par and signed the scorecard for 58 shots (!). Capan III started with par on the first. Followed up with four straight birdies. Finished the first nine with an eagle and made seven straight birdies on the second nine. The American finished with two pars and tied the Korn Ferry Tour record for most strokes under par in a round (-13). Earlier this year, Chile’s Cristobal Del Solar set a new record for lowest round with 57 strokes (also 13 under par).
Capan III was of course very happy with the start.
– It was fun out there today. I felt very comfortable in the game and just wanted to get in as many birdies as possible.
The round of 58 eclipsed the course record by one stroke. The previous record holder was world number one Scottie Scheffler who went 58 strokes at Texas Rangers Golf Club in 2020.
Tim Widing leads the Points List for this week’s competition. Top-30 after the season makes it to the PGA Tour.

1. Frankie Capan III, -13
2. Trent Phillips, -10
3. Tim Widing, -9
D30. Pontus Nyholm, -5