YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Keith Mitchell shot a 6-under 65 on Friday to share the top of the leaderboard at the PGA's Baycurrent Classic with first-round leader Jacob Bridgeman.
Bridgeman finished with a 68 on a sunny golfing day to go with his opening 63 at the Yokohama Country Club.
The two leaders were two shots clear of a group of four including Ben Kohles who had a 9-under 62, the low round of the day. Also two shots back of the lead were Mac Meissner (68), Max Homa (68) and Zack Bouchou (64),
The PGA Tour’s lone stop in Asia features its strongest field of the FedEx Cup Fall series, with 13 of the 24 players who competed in the Presidents Cup two weeks ago at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs.
Mitchell said the enthusiastic gallery helped him, and he said he spends time researching the Japanese food scene before he makes the trip.
“I love it over here. It’s always on my schedule,” he said. “I love Japan. I think just the energy here just helps me play a little bit better for some reason.”
Bridgeman had what might be described as a grinding round. But he got it done.
“I didn’t quite have the same game I had yesterday today so it was a little bit more difficult to make as many birdies, but I think I kind of realized that early and was able to play kind of conservative and plot my way around the course,” he said. "Navigated it pretty good, was able to post a good number.
Japan's top star, Hideki Matsuyama, shot a 1-over 72 and was eight shots off the lead. Xander Schauffele carded a 69 and was also eight shots back.
See AP’s full golf coverage here
USA teams' Jacob Bridgeman watches his shot on the 13th green against the International team during a Presidents Cup golf tournament third round foursome match at Medinah Country Club, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Medinah, Ill. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s governing Labour Party was declared winner of a special election in London on Friday, dealing a blow to the leader of the fast-growing Green Party, who is facing a backlash over the party’s anti-Zionist stance and doubts about whether he can continue to lead the party from outside the House of Commons.
Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali won the contest for Holborn and St. Pancras, the district left vacant by the resignation of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with 12,292 votes, 45% of the total. Green leader Zack Polanski got 8,928 votes, just under 33%.
Abdi-Wali, who came to Britain from Somalia as a child refugee, said after the result was announced that she was honored to represent an area that had given her opportunities in life.
“I hope this moment also says something about who gets to belong,” said Abdi-Wali, leader of the local authority, Camden Council. “For people who look like me, I hope they see themselves reflected in this place and know that their path too belongs here.”
The Greens have grown rapidly under the “eco-populist” Polanski, broadening their message beyond environmental concerns to focus on issues including the cost of living, legalization of drugs and support for the Palestinian cause.
They have positioned themselves as an alternative to Labour for left-liberal voters, and gained momentum when they beat Labour in a special election last year.
But some members think the party has moved too far from its environmentalist roots, and Polanski’s campaign was overshadowed by the Green Party’s decision earlier this month to declare Zionism, the political movement for a Jewish homeland, a form of racism.
The motion, approved by a vote of party members, has been condemned by most elected Green lawmakers, divided the party and alarmed many British Jews. Israel declared the motion antisemitic and barred Polanski, who is Jewish, from entering the country.
Polanski told Sky News on Friday that it is “difficult being leader of any party, particularly the Green Party.”
“But I signed up for that difficult job and I’m more than ready to continue,” he said.
Britain's Labour Party candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali after being declared the winner of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election in London, Friday Oct. 9, 2026. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)
Britain's Green Party leader Zack Polanski after he was defeated in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election in London, Friday Oct. 9, 2026. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)
Britain's Labour Party candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali speaks after being declared the winner of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election in London, Friday Oct. 9, 2026. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)
