Korda and Cowan 2 back in LPGA team event. Inkster advances to weekend at record age of 66

MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — Nelly Korda found the perfect tonic for the week after the biggest win of her career. The U.S. Women’s Open champion is playing with good friend Olivia Cowan of Germany in the Dow Championship, two shots out of the lead Friday held by Polly Mack and Celine Borge.

The final two days at Midland Country Club also includes Juli Inkster, the 66-year-old Hall of Famer who became the oldest player to make the cut when she teamed with 27-year-old Angel Yin for a 68 in fourballs.

“I’m happy I played,” said Inkster, born 10 years after the LPGA was founded. “Sometimes you’ve got to put yourself out there and I felt like I did that this week.”

Mack and Borge were among the late starters and posted a 60 to reach 12-under 128 and zoom past the Japanese duo of Ayaka Furue and Yuna Nishimura (61).

Korda and Cowan shot 60 to finish two shots behind, with Korda doing most of the damage and Cowan stepping in for a 20-foot birdie putt on their final hole.

“We just wanted to go out and have some fun. That’s when we play our best,” Korda said. “Last week was a great week. This is the perfect week to back up that week. It’s just a little more relaxed. It’s been a blast.”

Korda said there wasn’t a lot of golf talk, mostly trying to finish to get lunch and head for their favorite coffee shop.

The U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera was her fourth win of the year, and fourth career major, solidifying her perch atop women’s golf. She played the part most of the second round in fourballs with several birdie putts.

“Nelly made a lot of putts today,” Cowan said. “I felt like I needed to make the last one.”

JoAnne Carner holds the LPGA record for individual events, making the cut in 2004 at age 64. The Dow Championship counts as official, so Inkster goes into the record book as the oldest.

This also could be a big week for Cowan, who would get a two-year exemption on the LPGA if she and Korda were to win.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Nelly Korda lines up her putt on the 17th hole during the first round of the Dow Championship LPGA golf tournament, Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Olivia Cowan, of Germany, hits on the 17th hole during the first round of the Dow Championship LPGA golf tournament, Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa put down Wales 43-0 and was three for three in Nations Championship rugby on Saturday.

The Springboks struggled to reflect their utter domination on the scoreboard and ought to have doubled their seven actual tries by seven different scorers.

A team of 10 changes with four debutants following the 42-28 win over Scotland looked slick at times but was frequently undone by knock-ons, forced and unforced.

But even ragged with a slippery ball, the Springboks still blanked Wales in successive matches for the first time since the first two matches in this rivalry, in 1906 and 1912.

Wales was stronger than the all-local team that was thrashed 73-0 by South Africa in Cardiff last November, and still outclassed. Wales hasn't scored a point against South Africa in more than 2 1/2 hours.

Only South Africa and New Zealand are unbeaten after the southern hemisphere leg of the new Nations Championship. The tournament moves to a conclusion in Europe in November.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit runs with the ball during the Nations Championship Test rugby match between South Africa and Wales, in Durban, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Cobus Reinach scores a try during the Nations Championship Test rugby match between South Africa and Wales, in Durban, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Jesse Kriel, center, celebrates after scoring a try during the Nations Championship Test rugby match between South Africa and Wales, in Durban, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)