- Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate fears
- Luxury Western goods line Russian stores, three years into sanctions
- Wallace and Gromit return with comic warning about AI dystopia
- Philippine military says will acquire US Typhon missile system
- Afghan bread, the humble centrepiece of every meal
- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - December 23
- Melrose Group Publicly Files Complaint to the Ontario Securities Commission
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
Lopez into lead in LPGA Tournament of Champions
Mexico's Gaby Lopez bagged two late birdies to grab a one-shot lead at the LPGA Tour's season-opening Tournament of Champions in Florida on Thursday.
The 28-year-old world number 53 notched birdies on her 16th and 18th holes en route to a five-under-par 67 at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando.
Lopez's strong finish completed a solid opening round which had begun on the par-72 layout's par-five 10th hole with a bogey six.
However that was the lone blemish for Lopez, who went on to reel off three birdies on the front nine before adding three more down the stretch.
That was good enough to give her a slender lead over four players tied for second on four under – world number one Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Ryann O’Toole and Yuka Saso of Japan.
"Today was a pretty clean round," Lopez said afterwards.
"I think we barely made any mistakes. My caddie and I did a great job with strategy, just being able to attack the pins that we were comfortable with.
"The ones that we were not, just going to be smart. And, yeah, being able to hit the shots that I want, it's really nice."
Korda's 68 came in a roller coaster round which included three bogeys, five birdies and an eagle.
The American got off to a rocky start with two bogeys in her opening four holes, before she recovered with three straight birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh holes.
Another birdie on the 10th was followed by a brilliant eagle three on the par-five 11th which took her to four under before her third bogey of the round on the 12th. She regained that dropped shot with a birdie on the 15th before closing with three pars.
"I was just kind of spraying it everywhere, left, right, you name it," Korda said of her erratic start.
"I was just like, 'OK, so this is going to be a grind today', which it was.
"I still hit some loose shots here and there coming in, but hit it close on those three holes and kind of capitalized on that."
Korda's sister Jessica, the defending champion, is among a group of three players a further shot back on three under, two off the lead, after carding 69s.
Jessica Korda finished the day alongside Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukam and Canada's Brooke Henderson.
Stacy Lewis and Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom are three off the lead on two under with France's Celine Boutier, England's Georgia Hall and Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit.
P.Santos--AMWN