Golf: American LPGA player shot

KIM WILLIAMS, a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour, was shot in the neck on Saturday outside a shop in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 31-year-old American woman, who was conscious on her arrival at hospital and was said to be in a 'fair' condition yesterday, was competing in the Youngstown-Warren Classic at the nearby Avalon Lakes course.

Police said Williams appeared to be the victim of a 'drive-by shooting', and they had no suspects yesterday. Williams was flown by helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland where she was scheduled for tests before any decision was made on surgery.

Jim Polznar, a social worker at the Cleveland hospital, said Williams was 'conscious and talking' on arrival. He said the bullet had entered the left side of her neck and lodged in the upper right shoulder below the collar bone. Williams said in a statement that she had gone to the shop to buy some baby oil, which she uses to prevent rust on her putter.

Williams, of Boca Raton, Florida, had hit a one-under par 71 in Friday's first round of the tournament. She failed to complete Saturday's round as rain had suspended play.