Golf: Davies makes impression on men's event

Britain's Laura Davies, having had little sleep after losing to Tammie Green on Sunday in a five-hole play-off at the Giant Eagle Classic in Warren, Ohio, shot a round of 73 in the Fred Couples Invitational in Kenmore, Washington, yesterday.

Davies, one of the longest hitters on the LPGA tour, is the first woman to be invited to the four-year-old event. Also taking part was Arnold Palmer, 67, who had three birdies and four bogeys in a round of 72.

Tom Lehman and Scott McCarron shot five-under-par 66s and shared the lead after the first round. Scott Simpson was one shot back at 67, while Rick Fehr, Mike Hulbert and Davis Love III each had a 69. Couples, the host of the two-day charity event for the fourth consecutive year, shot a 71.

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn pulled out of the Scandinavian Masters yesterday after a jogging accident which could threaten his Ryder Cup prospects. The 26-year-old Dane, currently seventh in the Ryder Cup table, sprained his ankle while running at the weekend and his doctor told him to rest the foot for at least a week.