Sporting Digest: Golf

BYRON NELSON CLASSIC (Irving, Texas) Leading first-round scores (US unless stated): 65 D Forsman, S Simpson, R Beiersdorf. 66 R Floyd, H Irwin, H Twitty. 67 M Calcavecchia, J Cook, N Henke, D Trixler, L Clements. 68 T Watson, D Love, D Frost (SA), D A Weibring, L Roberts, L Rinker, D Tewell, G Twiggs, N Price (Zim).

A NEW metal driver helped Laura Davies to swing smoothly into 300-yard tee-shots straight down the fairway yesterday, and her calm acceptance of two errors resulted in a five-birdie three-under-par 69 to add to her opening 67, for a seven-under total of 135 at the half-way stage of the McDonald's championship at Dupont Country Club, Delaware. Davies, who remained in her overnight position tied in the lead with Gail Graham, said: 'Those are the two best opening rounds I have had all year.

McDONALD'S WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP (Wilmington, Del) Leading second-round scores (US unless stated): 135 L Davies (GB) 66 69; G Graham (Can) 66 69. 137 L Merten 68 69. 138 B King 71 67. 139 D Wilkins 70 69; M Berteotti 72 67.

ENGLISH OPEN AMATEUR STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP (Stoneham) Leading scores in the first round: 67 V Phillips (Stoke Poges). 70 M Blackey (Hayling), R Bland (Bramshott Hill), A Haworth (Stoneham), J Wilshire (Hindhead). 71 N Vanhootegem (Bel), S Webster (Atherstone). 72 J Dahlstrom (Fr), M Dove (Broadway), M McGuire (Drayton Park), M Welch (Hill Valley), S Burnell (Brickendon Grange), R Russell (Longniddry). 73 R Binney (Newquay), L Westwood (Worksop), M Wharton (John O'Gaunt), J Ciola (Swit), S Stanley (Stoneham), B Dredge (Bryn Meadows), F Valera (Sp).