Lydia Ko takes lead at U.S. Women’s Open

World No. 1 Lydia Ko birdied the 18th hole to cap a two-under-par 70 in the third round Saturday that put her in the lead of the U.S. Women’s Open at San Martin, Calif., bolstering her chance for her third major title in less than a year.

The 19-year-old Ko became the youngest woman to win a major last year at the Evian Championship and followed that up by winning the ANA Inspiration this spring at Rancho Mirage. Now she’s in contention for her first U.S. Open title after failing to make the top 10 in her first four appearances.

Ko has a one-shot lead over 2009 winner Eun Hee Ji and Sung Hyun Park. Brittany Lang and Amy Yang are two shots back at five under and Angela Stanford is in sixth place at four under at CordeValle.

Johnson out of Olympics

U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson withdrew from the Rio Games because of concerns over the Zika virus, costing golf three of the world’s top four players for its return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.

Jordan Spieth is the only player from the top four who has not said if he is going to Brazil. A decision could come as early as this weekend ahead of the British Open. Rickie Fowler also is undecided.

Champions Tour

Paul Goydos shot a six-under 66 to forge a tie for the lead with John Riegger after two rounds of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open at Endicott, N.Y.

Goydos made eagle at the par-4 16th hole and followed with a birdie at No. 17 to finish at 11-under 133 with Riegger, who shot 67.

First-round leader Scott Dunlap shot 70 and was alone in second, one shot behind.

Scottish Open

Alex Noren of Sweden birdied the last two holes to extend his lead to two shots at the Scottish Open after a third round that ended in heavy rain at the Castle Stuart links.

Noren shot a four-under 68 to move to 12-under 204, two clear of Tyrrell Hatton of England (66) and Matteo Manassero of Italy (68).

The top 15 players are separated by six shots in the last event before the British Open at Royal Troon next week. With the weather turning nasty for the final few hours of the third round, this could be good preparation for the third major of the year.

Phil Mickelson shot 70 and is 11 strokes behind Noren.

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