KIM HOLDS TWO-STROKE LEAD AFTER MID-ROUND STUMBLE

GOLF: Si Woo Kim will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with defending champion Scottie Scheffler on his heels.

Kim went into the third round at the TPC Craig Ranch, near Dallas, with a five-shot lead after missing out on a 59 with a bogey on the last.

After two early birdies, his cushion vanished by the 11th after three bogeys in four holes but three birdies in the next four took him to a round of 68 and 21 under par.

World number one Scheffler carded seven birdies in a 65 to move within two shots.

He is joined on 19 under par by former US Open champion Wyndham Clark, who added an eagle at the ninth to six birdies in his 65.

BUTTLER RE-SIGNS WITH LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING

CRICKET: Former England captain Jos Buttler has signed a three-year Vitality Blast contract extension with Lancashire Lightning.

Buttler joined Lancashire in 2014 and the deal, which will run alongside his existing ECB central contract, will extend his association with the club.

Buttler said: “It always means a great deal to pull on the Red Rose. My international and franchise commitments mean I can’t be around as much as I’d like, but whenever I do get the chance to play or spend time with the group, it’s something I really value.

“Winning the Blast with Lancashire in 2015 was such a proud moment for myself and for the club and it would be great to play my part in another success in the years ahead.”

FRENCH OPEN STARTS AMID A HEATWAVE IN PARIS

TENNIS: The French Open began in Paris today during one of the hottest periods of the year so far. Among the early matches on Day 1 of the clay-court Grand Slam were 13th-seeded Karen Khachanov against Arthur Gea on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and 15th-seeded Marta Kostyukagainst Oksana Selekhmeteva on Court Simonne-Mathieu.

The temperature was already 26°C when play started at 9am GMT and was due to soar to 31°C later on in the day.

Spectators folded newspapers in half and fanned themselves to keep cool as players on court attempted to stay hydrated.