Sport

DiMarco takes an early share of the top position

Golf: Chris DiMarco recovered from a dreadful start to earn a share of the first-round lead of the $3

Fri May 25 2001 - 01:00

Golf: Chris DiMarco recovered from a dreadful start to earn a share of the first-round lead of the $3.5 million Kemper Open last night.

He three-putted two of the first five holes to slip to two over par, but roared back with eight birdies to post a six-under-par 65 matched by JJ Henry and Stuart Appleby at the Avenel TPC. DiMarco, Henry and Appelby head Lee Porter, Bob Estes and Frank Nobilo by one stroke.

World number two Phil Mickelson, the tournament's leading drawcard, is three shots off the pace after a 68.

Ireland's Richie Coughlan is a further three shots back on 71. The Offaly man started well and was two-under after three holes, however, a further five bogies and two birdies saw him finish on one over par.

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65 - C DiMarco, JJ Henry, S Appleby.

66 - L Porter, B Estes, F Nobilo.

67 - W Wood, C Riley, M O'Meara.

68 - D Forsman, S Lowery, J Leonard, S Flesch, T Tolles, K Johnson, C Tidland, B Schwarzrock, W Austin, P Tataurangi, S Hoch, P Mickelson, D Waldorf, P Johansson.

69 - F Lickliter, M Brooks, J Haas, B Burns, B Jobe, B Bates, S Kendall, C Beckman, B Baird, K Grunewald, B Quigley, G Nicklaus, J Blake, K Triplett, R Allenby, T Herron, J McGovern, J Sindelar, J Julian, M Muehr.

Other: 72 - R Coughlan (Ire).

Sailing: Ireland's Maria Coleman, one of four Irish boats in action at the annual SPA Olympic classes regatta in Medemblicjk, the Netherlands, moved up to eighth overall in the Europe fleet yesterday. A first place in the opening race of the day was followed by fifth and sixth places in the 60-boat class.

Although not one of the major events in the Star keelboat class calendar, Max Treacy and Anthony Shanks are in 12th place amongst almost 30 boats.

Tom Fitzpatrick with Fraser Brown have swapped overnight standings with Waterford brothers Barry and Rob McConnell in the 49er class by moving into 18th place from 22nd; a sixth in the final race of the day providing a welcome morale boost.

Cycling: Ivan Quaranta of Italy won the 229 km fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia after a thrilling sprint in the final kilometre along the sea front in Nettuno near Rome. Quaranta, who rides for the Alexia team, outsprinted fellow Italians Mario Cipollini of the Saeco team and Moreno Di Biase of the Mobilvetta team. Dario Frigo of Italy retained the overall race lead on what was a quiet day for the overall challengers.