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USA Today
24 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Mel Reid surprises golfer with news that she qualified for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
FRISCO, Texas – As LPGA players made the turn at the Fields Ranch East Course on Friday morning, retired player-turned-television-analyst Mel Reid was on a special assignment over by the 10th tee. Reid surprised 38-year-old Erika Johnson with the news that she'd qualified for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, representing Texas. 'Unbelievable achievement. You're going to have to get some Olympic rings on you or something,' said Reid, pulling up the sleeve of her shirt to reveal her own tattoo from the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Johnson, it turns out, already had two tattoos of her own and was game to add a third at Reid's invitation. 'It would be my honor to take you,' said a smiling Reid, an LPGA winner and Special Olympics ambassador. The golf portion of the USA Games will be held at Victory Links Golf Course in Blaine, Minnesota, June 20-26, the same week as the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska. Johnson came out to the KPMG Women's PGA in Frisco with her mom, Kim, and coach, Linda Walls. She first took up the game in high school and plays out of Woodbridge Golf Club in Wylie, Texas. While golf is her main sport, she began with the Special Olympics in 2002 and participates in basketball, bowling, flag football, floorball, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball. She also competed with the FC Dallas Special Olympics Unified Team. One of her tattoos is the FC Dallas shield and the other is a star. 'It means a lot,' said a grateful Johnson of heading to Minnesota. In March, Johnson flew to Italy to compete in floorball, which her mom said is like ice hockey but in tennis shoes and without the ice. Organized sports, she said, have given her daughter a strong community and boosted her confidence. 'She travels more than I do these days,' said Kim. 'She has really learned to know that she can stand on her own two feet.' After touring Golf Channel's set near the 10th tee, Johnson planned to take in more of the action at Fields Ranch East before heading to her job at the local movie theater, where she's worked for nearly 20 years. 'This is what it's about, isn't it?' said Reid. 'I've got a nephew with quite severe special needs, so it's very close to my heart. I just think they're more impressive than us, to be honest with you. … The way they just get on with stuff. Their fire, their grit, their strength. It's just something we can all learn from.'
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
KPMG Women's PGA live updates: Leaderboard, scores from second round of LPGA major
KPMG Women's PGA live updates: Leaderboard, scores from second round of LPGA major The 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship started on Thursday at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas, the home course of the PGA of America. Jeeno Thitikul rolled in nearly 200 feet in putts to take the 18-hole lead. The best players in the world are battling it out with a major title on the line, including world No. 1 and past champion Nelly Korda, who remains in search of her first victory this season. Here's a look at the second round of play from the KPMG Women's PGA: (If you missed out on our in-depth coverage from Day 1, click here.) KPMG Women's PGA leaderboard Keep up with the latest scores on our USA TODAY Sports leaderboard. How to watch KPMG Women's PGA Championship 2025 All times EDT Friday, June 20 Golf Channel: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Featured groups: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, June 21 Peacock: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Featured groups: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ( PGA Champs App) NBC: 1:30-6 p.m. Sunday, June 22 Peacock: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Featured groups: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ( PGA Champs App) NBC: 3-6 p.m.
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Mirabel happy to wait as LPGA dream takes shape
KUALA LUMPUR: With accolades piling up and history already made, Malaysia's top golf prospect Mirabel Ting has every reason to consider turning professional. But the 19-year-old Miri-born is choosing to stay grounded. Despite winning the prestigious Annika Award, being named WGCA Player of the Year, and reaching a career-best No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Mirabel remains committed to finishing her senior year at Florida State University. Mirabel meteoric rise came on the back of a phenomenal 2024/25 season, during which she clinched five titles on the US collegiate circuit. "I just want to play golf and do what I can," said Mirabel. "If things lead to a different path, then it's a different path." It's a line that reflects her maturity and adaptability — a recognition that while she's fully invested in college golf, she's also aware of what could lie ahead. Mirabel has already accumulated 10 points under the LPGA Tour's LEAP (LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway) program, which rewards top-performing amateur golfers with a chance to bypass the notoriously competitive Q School. Points are awarded across five categories: highest WAGR ranking, performances in LPGA events, major amateur titles, year-end awards, and team selections. Reaching the 20-point threshold grants a player direct access to the LPGA Tour. Mirabel currently sits at 10 points — two each from winning the Annika Award, being named WGCA Player of the Year, and achieving a WAGR ranking of No. 2. She also picked up three points from three consecutive Palmer Cup appearances (2023–2025) and one point from a top-40 finish at last year's Maybank Championship, where she placed 12th. Another 10 points would seal her place on the LPGA Tour — a tall order, but not out of reach. She has upcoming opportunities to add to her tally, including the Amundi Evian Championship in France next month — one of the LPGA's five majors — and a return to Malaysia for the Maybank Championship in October. "I'm actually 10 points away from getting the Tour card," she said. "But again, it's nearly impossible. I would need to have another season like this year — or even better — to actually get all the points by the end of the year." That measured realism is what sets Mirabel apart. Instead of rushing into the pro ranks, she's opting to build steadily — enjoying college life, honing her skills, and flying the Malaysian flag high on both collegiate and international stages. "It means a lot," she said of her Annika Award win. "I wasn't actually sure I was the first Asian to win it. I just did what I've always done — practice hard and believe in myself. Surprisingly, I did it. I feel like I've made Malaysia proud." With her trailblazing success, Mirabel now finds herself in a position to inspire the next wave of Malaysian golfers — a role she embraces with humility. "I was once young and looked up to Michelle (Koh, Rio 2016 Olympian) and Kelly (Tan, sole Malaysian representative on the LPGA Tour in the past one decade). Being a role model is challenging, but if you have the opportunity, why not? I'm just trying to enjoy it, embrace it, and take it day by day."
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Thitikul edges into Women's PGA Championship lead
Women's PGA Championship first-round leaderboard:-4 J Thitikul (Tha); -3 M Lee (Aus); -2 R Takeda (Jpn); H Ryu (Kor), Y Noh (US), S Lee (Kor)Selected others: E N Korda (US), L Maguire (Ire), L Thompson (US), +1 G Hall (Eng); +3 L Ko (NZ); +4 M Rhodes (Eng) Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul shot a 68 to edge into an early lead at the Women's PGA number two Thitikul, 22, recovered from a double bogey at the fifth with six birdies to finish on four under par at the third of this year's five LPGA Minjee Lee was one shot further back after a rollercoaster three-under-par 69, which included seven birdies and four number one Nelly Korda is four off the pace as she went round in a par 72, which included two birdies and two Leona Maguire is also on level par, while England's Georgia Hall carded a 73. England's Mimi Rhodes, who has enjoyed three wins on the Ladies European Tour this season, was making her debut at a major and hit a four-over par 76. "I think my putter went really well today," said Thitikul, who is yet to win a major."In the front nine we had a lot of breeze going and more than the back nine, but [I made putts at] seven, eight, nine which boost the confidence up making the turn to the back nine."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."The event is taking place at the Fields Ranch East course in Texas, with Lee and Korda citing the heat as a factor to contend with. "I just kept telling my caddie, can you give me another water, can you give me another water," Lee said."I don't think we could have enough [water] out there. It's really hot."Korda added: "It's hot; I'm still cooling down right now."I'm pretty happy with my first round in the conditions. It definitely takes a toll on you, the Texas heat."
1News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- 1News
Lydia Ko battles at Women's PGA Championship in Texas
Ko opened her round with an impressive birdie putt but that was the only one she'd manage, four bogeys leaving her with a three-over 75 start to the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Meanwhile, Nelly Korda shot an even-par 72 for her opening round of the third major of the year , three days after the world's top-ranked player reaggravated a neck injury during a practice round. While Korda said she doesn't feel pain hitting shots, the two-time major champion said she has pain "just with rotation" of her neck and that it is hard to get comfortable to sleep at night. "It's better, yeah. Getting better every day, which is nice," she said. "Just because I injured it last year, whenever I do injure my neck it takes a little bit longer than normal. I kind of tweaked it before my round with Ariya (Jutanugarn) in Vegas this year, during the night I couldn't move then, so thankfully it wasn't as bad as that day... Just takes me like a week to kind of recover when I tweak my neck now." Korda late last year skipped two tournaments during the LPGA's Asia swing because of a minor neck injury, and that loss to Jutanugarn in match play was in April. Korda said earlier this week that her neck "went into a full spasm," after hitting a shot out of the rough during a practice round at the Fields Ranch East course at PGA Frisco on Monday, before skipping the champions dinner that night. ADVERTISEMENT Nelly Korda hits to the third green during the first round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament. (Source: Associated Press) In the first round of the season's third major, Korda had two birdies and two bogeys. She was four shots behind Jeeno Thitikul, the world's No. 2-ranked player who was in the same group and the early leader at 4-under 68. "Overall I mean, even par to start the major... it was windier in the morning than I thought it would be. So played a little tougher. Yeah, I'm pretty happy with my first round in the conditions," Korda said. "It was pretty windy. It was hot. It definitely takes a toll on you, the Texas heat. So happy with my position. I haven't even really looked at the leader board, to be honest." Korda opened with seven consecutive pars, including at the 289m, par-4 seventh hole, where she hit a 268m drive into a valley just short of the green. Her initial pitch from there ricocheted off the edge of the green and rolled back down the slope to where she was. Korda hit her next shot to 2 feet and saved par. On the par-3 eighth, Korda's tee shot went over the green to set up her first bogey. She got free relief after her approach at the par-5 ninth went right and settled next to a temporary structure, and she pitched to 1m and made the birdie putt. "It's great to rebound with a birdie. Wasn't sure where to drop. The grass was like pavement. It was so firm, it's been walked on a lot," Korda said. "Whenever you get to bounce back with a birdie and you get to kind of have in a sense a fresh start for the next nine holes, that's always good." - Additional reporting by 1News
