ATLETICO COME FROM BEHIND TO HOLD LEVANTE

■ Defending champion Koepka takes seven-stroke lead after two rounds

Bethpage (United States), May 18: Defending champion Brooks Koepka completed the lowest 36-hole showing in major golf history Friday to seize a record seven-stroke lead after two rounds of the PGA Championship while Tiger Woods missed the cut.

Third-ranked Koepka, a runaway favourite to capture his fourth major title on Sunday, fired a fiveunder par 65 on Friday at Bethpage Black to stand on 12-under 128.

His devastating two-day performance produced the largest halfway lead in modern major golf history. The biggest prior 36hole PGA lead had been Zimbabwean Nick Price’s five-shot edge in 1994.

And Koepka was disappointed in two bogeys that cost him an even tighter stranglehold.

The lowest prior halfway score in major golf history was 130, managed five times, including by American Gary Woodland at last year’s PGA.

Koepka, who set the course record with a 63 on Thursday, birdied three of the first four holes and four of the last six Friday to complete the most overpowering start even seen in major golf.

“I’m still putting very well,” he said. “I’m still hitting my lines and reading my putts very well.”

If he does claim the Wanamaker Trophy and a $1.98 million top prize, he’ll be the first man to defend US Open and PGA titles in his career and the first to own back-to-back titles in two majors at the same time. He’d be the first to the defend the PGA title since Woods in 2007.

Woods struggled in his first event since ending an 11-year major win drought by capturing last month’s Masters for his 15th major title.

“Just didn’t quite have it,” Woods said after firing a 73 to stand on 145, one over the cut line. “Did a lot of little things wrong.

“There’s no reason I can’t get up to speed and start cranking it back up again. I’ve got to start feeling better first.”

American Jordan Spieth, trying to win to complete a career Grand Slam, and Australia’s Adam Scott shared second on 135.

Spieth, who hasn’t had a top-20 finish all year and hasn’t won since the 2017 British Open, shot 66 while Scott fired a 64, a bogey at the par-3 17th costing him a share of the course record.

Matt Wallace, trying to become the first Englishman to win the PGA since Jim Barnes in 1919, shared fourth on 136 with Americans Kelly Kraft, Luke List, Daniel Berger and Dustin Johnson. Second-ranked Justin Rose of England was ninth on 137.

World number one Johnson is in danger of losing the top spot to Koepka, a 29-year-old American who goes for a third consecutive US Open title next month at Pebble Beach.

Scott flirted with the alltime major low round of 62 set by South African Branden Grace at the 2017 British Open, but lipped out a short par putt at 17. SPIETH STAYS CONFIDENT Spieth has developed faith in his swing after months of uncertainty.

“Confidence has been there,” Spieth said. “I figured if I stayed out of my own way, stick to one thought, (my game) was in good enough shape to contend.” Spieth could become only the sixth golfer to win each of the four majors at least once, joining Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan. Johnson, whose only major title came at the 2016 US Open, reeled off five birdies in seven holes in one stretch. Rory McIlroy was one inside the cut line on 143, among 82 to reach the weekend. Madrid, May 18: Antoine Griezmann was jeered during his last game for Atletico Madrid and Rodrigo might have scored his final goal for the club as they came from behind to draw 2-2 against Levante in La Liga on Saturday.

Griezmann received whistles from the visiting fans, who were also heard chanting “out, out, out” before goals from Sergio Camello and Rodrigo ensured Atletico at least ended the season with a draw.

Diego Simeone has dismissed fears of a mass exodus, despite both Diego Godin and Griezmann already announcing their departures, with the likes of Rodrigo, Juanfran and Filipe Luis all expected to follow.

If this was to be their farewell outing for Atletico, it was an underwhelming finale as Levante, who only secured safety from relegation last weekend, claimed a deserved point.

They might have been disappointed not to take all three after leading 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Erick Cabaco and Roger Marti before then playing against 10 men for the best part of 40 minutes after Angel Correa was sent off.

But Atletico fought back, Rodrigo firing into the top corner before 18year-old substitute Camello scored his first goal for the club, finishing at the back post.

Griezmann was unable to add to his tally of 133 goals in 257 games across all competitions in what became a bitter end to his five successful seasons for the club. 2