Yelich makes sliding snag via Perez deflectionYelich makes sliding snag via Perez deflection
Hernan Perez’s first outfield assist of 2018 was a most memorable one.
Day: April 18, 2018
Ex-Jays star Bautista joins Braves, will play 3BEx-Jays star Bautista joins Braves, will play 3B
Jose Bautista has joined the Atlanta Braves, who plan to use the veteran slugger at third base.
One & Done: Valero Texas OpenOne & Done: Valero Texas Open
The eighth of 24 contributing events for PGA TOUR Champions One & Done presented by SERVPRO is this week’s Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge. It begins on Thursday. Scroll for tournament notes and 21 notables from the field of 36 two-man teams in Ridgedale, Missouri. If decisions were as easy as plugging in Charley Hoffman at the Valero Texas Open, then fantasy wouldn’t be as much fun. But wait a minute. Is Hoffman the prohibitive favorite in our format? In one sense, very much so. As of midday Wednesday, he’s way out front in ownership percentage at 20 percent. That’s eight clicks better than Luke List in second and 14 points clear of both Sergio Garcia and Brendan Steele. Surely, there are options. Indeed. List presents as a perfect fit for chasers. The league leaders among us are more likely to stick with the chalk at TPC San Antonio because that contingent, which includes Steele, is so reliable on one of the toughest tracks on the schedule. List continues to impress regardless of the test. His profile as a long hitter shadows the fact that he’s actually the total package. Billy Horschel has a glowing track record in this tournament, but all of us might swerve if not for his T5 at the RBC Heritage. Conservative front-runners will still abstain because of his inconsistency, but the rest of us will latch onto his immediate success after returning to a putter of familiar length. There’s also his penchant for staying hot after finding a spark. If Hoffman wasn’t available and I hadn’t already burned Steele, Horschel would get the at-bat with confidence. Ryan Palmer is a curious option given his run of success in San Antonio, but there’s a little chicken-and-egg variable with him. In other words, does the course bring out his best (probably) or does he need to be feeling it off the tee first to play well (never hurts). There’s always Colonial (Fort Worth Invitational) at the end of May. As a rule, some gamers avoid defending champions, and Kevin Chappell’s current form clinches that decision. There’s also the matter of his first experience in those shoes, er, boots, so holstering is the sensible decision for multiple reasons. Pat Perez may not crash our short list again this season, so he’s a bailout if you’re stuck and you’ve somehow not employed him yet. In fact, I’m surprised that three of my fellow Experts have yet to go to him this season. Because of the timing, two-man gamers for whom Perez is available don’t need to look further. Match him up with any of the aforementioned suggestions. Chesson Hadley also works best as a complement for two-man lineups. So does Martin Laird, Aaron Baddeley and Scott Piercy. We can keep Garcia, Matt Kuchar and Ryan Moore shelved for another event. Because of the elevated interest in Garcia in PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO, I’ll take the cue to remind you that he’s among the best fits for THE PLAYERS and The Open Championship, both of which we’re annually scrambling for reliability. FUTURE POSSIBILITIES NOTE: Select golfers committed to the tournament are listed alphabetically. Future tournaments are sorted chronologically and reflect previous success on the courses on which the tournaments will be held in 2017-18. The numerical values in parentheses represent the order of relative confidence of where to use each golfer if multiple sites are listed (e.g. 1 for strongest, 2 for next-strongest and so on). To present weighted confidence in real time, numerical values will not change all season no matter how many tournament remain listed for each golfer. All are pending golfer commitment. Kevin Chappell … Valero (1; defending); St. Jude (5); WGC-Bridgestone (2); Dell Technologies (3) Jim Furyk … Memorial (7); U.S. Open (8); Canadian (3); WGC-Bridgestone (2); THE NORTHERN TRUST (9); TOUR Championship (4) Sergio Garcia … PLAYERS (5); Open Championship (1); TOUR Championship (4) Bill Haas … Wyndham (2) Charley Hoffman … Valero (1); Fort Worth (4); Travelers (2); Canadian (3) J.B. Holmes … Wells Fargo (7); Greenbrier (5) Billy Horschel … Valero (3); St. Jude (1); TOUR Championship (4) Zach Johnson … Fort Worth (2); John Deere (1); Open Championship (5); WGC-Bridgestone (6); TOUR Championship (8) Chris Kirk … Valero (4); PLAYERS (3); Fort Worth (2) Russell Knox … PLAYERS (8); Dell Technologies (7) Matt Kuchar … Valero (10); PLAYERS (11); Fort Worth (6); Memorial (2); Canadian (3); WGC-Bridgestone (7); THE NORTHERN TRUST (9) Martin Laird … Valero (7); Barracuda (1) Graeme McDowell … WGC-Bridgestone (3) William McGirt … Memorial (4) Ryan Moore … Travelers (2); John Deere (3); TOUR Championship (6) Kevin Na … Memorial (10); John Deere (9); Wyndham (3); THE NORTHERN TRUST (11) Ryan Palmer … Valero (1); Fort Worth (2); St. Jude (6) Pat Perez … Valero (7) Scott Piercy … John Deere (6) Adam Scott … PLAYERS (5); U.S. Open (10); Open Championship (8); WGC-Bridgestone (3); Dell Technologies (9); TOUR Championship (6) Brandt Snedeker … Fort Worth (11); U.S. Open (5); Travelers (6); Canadian (3); Wyndham (4) Brendan Steele … Valero (6); Wells Fargo (7); Travelers (3) Kevin Streelman … Wells Fargo (3); Memorial (1); Travelers (2) Jimmy Walker … Valero (6); Greenbrier (8); Dell Technologies (7) CHAMPIONS ONE & DONE Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge The second-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR Champions just might be the most progressive and PGA TOUR Champions One & Done gamers get their first lick at it this year. (It was taken off the fantasy board in 2017 due to a technical glitch.) This is the second of two non-majors that begins on Thursday, so adjust accordingly. Thirty-six teams of two will rotate on three courses totaling 67 holes of competition: Par-71 Buffalo Ridge Golf Course will host the first 18 holes. New to the event is the 13-hole Mountain Top, a par-3 track. It will be played once by every team either Friday or Saturday. Top of the Rock, a nine-hole par-3 course, also will be played by every team either Friday or Saturday. It will then host the entire field in Sunday’s final round. All told, 36 holes will be contested on this course, meaning that every team will loop it four times. Carlos Franco and Vijay Singh are the defending champions of what was a weather-shortened edition that went just 36 holes. Total prize money of $1.8 million reflects the lowest purse since 2001, but the tournament extended its partnership with the title sponsor and site through 2021. Each member of the winning team will earn $174,375. Just like next week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, because team members are rewarded equally, the format of the Bass Pro Legends urges One & Doners to select the golfer who you won’t miss as much as his teammate. For example, you could argue that Singh is more valuable than Franco in individual competition, so if you wanted to ride the defending champs, select Franco and save Singh for another tournament. If you’ve already burned Singh, it’s a free pick to do it again. For all 36 teams, click here. FUTURE POSSIBILITIES NOTE: Select golfers committed to the tournament are listed alphabetically. Future tournaments are sorted chronologically and reflect previous success on the courses on which the tournaments will be held in 2018. The numerical values in parentheses represent the order of relative confidence of where to use each golfer if multiple sites are listed (e.g. 1 for strongest, 2 for next-strongest and so on). To present weighted confidence in real time, numerical values will not change all season no matter how many tournament remain listed for each golfer. All are pending golfer commitment. Billy Andrade … Bass Pro Shops (4) Joe Durant … Bass Pro Shops (5); Insperity (15); Principal (2); American Family (8); U.S. Senior Open (7); SENIOR PLAYERS (1); 3M (6); DICK’S (12); Boeing (10); Shaw (11); PURE (3); SAS (13) David Frost … Bass Pro Shops (3); U.S. Senior Open (4); 3M (7); Boeing (5); Shaw (8); PURE (1) Paul Goydos … Bass Pro Shops (2); Insperity (7); 3M (1; defending); DICK’S (3); SAS (5) Lee Janzen … U.S. Senior Open (2) Miguel Angel Jiménez … Insperity (13); Senior PGA (6); Principal (10); U.S. Senior Open (5); SENIOR PLAYERS (3); Senior Open Championship (4); 3M (9); Shaw (7); SAS (12) Brandt Jobe … Senior PGA (2); Principal (3; defending); U.S. Senior Open (4); SENIOR PLAYERS (1); 3M (5); Boeing (8) Jerry Kelly … Boeing (1; defending); Shaw (5); PURE (2); SAS (4) Bernhard Langer … Usable everywhere. Defending five titles. Tom Lehman … Bass Pro Shops (7); Insperity (8); Regions Tradition (5); Principal (1); U.S. Senior Open (3); SAS (9) Jeff Maggert … Insperity (1); American Family (3); Shaw (5) Scott McCarron … Regions Tradition (2); Senior PGA (11); Principal (1); SENIOR PLAYERS (3; defending); Senior Open Championship (10); DICK’S (4; defending); Shaw (5; defending); PURE (8) Colin Montgomerie … Senior PGA (1); U.S. Senior Open (6); SENIOR PLAYERS (2); Senior Open Championship (10); Shaw (4); PURE (7); SAS (3; defending) Tom Pernice, Jr. … Principal Charity (2); Shaw (3); SAS (5) Kenny Perry … Bass Pro Shops (8); Insperity (3); Regions Tradition (5); Senior PGA (6); 3M (1); DICK’S (10); SAS (2) Gene Sauers … Insperity (7); Regions Tradition (3); U.S. Senior Open (5); SENIOR PLAYERS (6); Boeing (1) Vijay Singh … Bass Pro Shops (4; defending); Senior PGA (3); U.S. Senior Open (2); Shaw (5); SAS (1) Kevin Sutherland … Usable everywhere. David Toms … Regions Tradition (3); Boeing (2); SAS (4) Kirk Triplett … Insperity (2); Regions Tradition (6); American Family (5); SENIOR PLAYERS (1); Shaw (4) Duffy Waldorf … Bass Pro Shops (2); Insperity (4); Principal (6); Shaw (5)
Golden Knights’ French connection is NHL’s most interesting manGolden Knights’ French connection is NHL’s most interesting man
French forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare speaks three languages, spent a year in medical school and finally made the NHL at age 29. Now he’s playing with house money in Vegas.
Why Golf Channel is broadcasting NHL playoff gamesWhy Golf Channel is broadcasting NHL playoff games
As odd as it may seem, NBC isn’t out of bounds in broadcasting two NHL playoff games on the Golf Channel tonight. Because of scheduling conflicts on NBC’s usual NHL-showing networks, CNBC and USA Network, the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils game (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Anaheim Ducks
At least 28 NFL teams asked Sooners coach Lincoln Riley about his offense this year, per Kirk HerbstreitAt least 28 NFL teams asked Sooners coach Lincoln Riley about his offense this year, per Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit wants to clarify a few things. He makes no presumptions about the length of Jason Garrett’s coaching tenure with the Cowboys. He hopes Sooners coach Lincoln Riley never leaves the college game. And only Riley could answer whether he wants to jump to the NFL eventually. But caveats
Barkley’s handlers don’t want him in ClevelandBarkley’s handlers don’t want him in Cleveland
According to a new report, Saquon Barkley’s agents want him to say publicly that he won’t play for the Browns, but he’s resisting their urges.
Prospect O’Neill expected to join CardinalsProspect O’Neill expected to join Cardinals
Tyler O’Neill’s scorching hot start to 2018 has him making his way to the big leagues. The Cardinals’ No. 4 prospect is in Chicago and is expected to be promoted to the Major League roster for Thursday’s contest vs. the Cubs, a source told MLB.com’s Joe Trezza on Wednesday.
FIA working on measures to reduce pit stop errorsFIA working on measures to reduce pit stop errors
The FIA is working with Formula One teams to make pit stops safer, following a spate of unsafe releases in recent races.
Quick look at the Valero Texas OpenQuick look at the Valero Texas Open
The Overview SAN ANTONIO — He’s 19 years old, still wears braces, and hopes to achieve something nobody in his country has ever managed — make a significant impact on the PGA TOUR. Say hello to Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who’s making his professional debut at this week’s Valero Texas Open. Niemann has been the world’s top-ranked amateur player since last May. He made his final amateur start two weeks ago at the Masters, having qualified by winning the Latin America Amateur Championship in January. He also had invites to the U.S. Open and Open Championship via his amateur standing, but relinquished those opportunities after turning pro following his missed cut at Augusta National. He will now concentrate on earning TOUR membership, hoping to take advantage of a series of sponsor’s exemptions starting this week at TPC San Antonio. He also has sponsor’s invites to the Wells Fargo Championship, the AT&T Byron Nelson and the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide and will try to Monday qualify at other TOUR stops. In addition, he wants to compete in Web.com Tour events, and also hopes to regain those invites to the U.S. and Open championships via sectional qualifying. So, a lot of things going on — he also announced endorsement deals this week with Ping and Adidas — as he takes the biggest step of his young career. Is he nervous? “When I was an amateur, I thought I was going to feel nervous because of being pro,â€� Niemann said. “But I think it’s just the same. You just hit the ball and try to enjoy the round. I feel really good for this week and I think I’m prepared.â€� Niemann is hoping to break through as the first golfer from Chile to win on the PGA TOUR. Success on other pro tours has been sporadic for his countrymen — no surprise given that golf had been limited to private clubs until the first public course opened four years ago. Felipe Aguilar is perhaps the most successful Chilean golfer, having won twice on the European Tour and representing his country at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Benjamin Alvarado won a Web.com Tour event in 2013, and Hugo Leon is a two-time winner on PGA TOUR Canada. Bigger things are expected from Niemann, who is getting much-appreciated advice from Sergio Garcia. The two played nine holes during a practice round Tuesday, and Garcia seems to be taking Niemann under his wing. Like Niemann, Garcia was once the world’s top amateur. “He’s starting from scratch,â€� Garcia said. “Everything he’s done as an amateur, just like it happened to me, it’s great but it doesn’t count anymore. So he’s got to go out there and hopefully not put too much pressure on himself. Enjoy the week, learn every week. “Hopefully he gets off to a good start and things kind of go straight up — but if not, he’s got to be patient and kind of find his way out here.â€� The way begins Thursday. Three players to ponder Sergio Garcia He was a player-consultant when the AT&T Oaks course was designed, but he hasn’t played here since 2010. Kevin Chappell Posted his first TOUR win here last year, and then ended the season at the Presidents Cup, where he partnered with … Charley Hoffman The 2015 Valero champ loves him some TPC San Antonio. He’s finished in the top 15 in 10 of his 12 previous starts. The Flyover The closing hole at TPC San Antonio allows for a dramatic finish. The 591-yard par-5 18th was the third easiest hole on the course last year, playing to a stroke average of 4.855. Players must navigate the creek that bisects the fairway, as well as bunkers on the right. Here’s a closer look at the 18th. The Landing Zone The 481-yard par-4 fourth not only is the most difficult hole at TPC San Antonio, it’s one of the most difficult on TOUR. Of the 538 par 4s played in the 2016-17 season, it ranked 18th with a stroke average of 4.331. The biggest challenge off the tee is successfully navigating the narrow fairway. Here’s a look at where all tee shots landed last year. Weather check From PGA TOUR meteorologist Wade Stettner: “Partly cloudy skies are forecast on Thursday with a high in the upper 70s and east/northeast winds at 15-25 mph. Cloudy skies are expected on Friday with a slight chance for scattered showers. A cold front will move across central Texas on Saturday with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible along and ahead of the front. This front will exit the state on Sunday with mostly sunny skies returning and gusty north winds developing behind the front.â€� For the latest weather news from San Antonio, check out PGATOUR.COM’s Weather Hub. Sound Check “The most important shot in the wind is hit it solid so the wind doesn’t affect it. It’s when you start hitting it unsolid in the wind when it’s hard. … That’s this golf course. It gives you plenty of room out there but if you start hitting it unsolid, you can find the native area very quickly.â€� – Charley Hoffman on TPC San Antonio By the numbers 4 — International winners of the Valero Texas Open since 1970 — Australians Adam Scott and Steven Bowditch and Scotland’s Martin Laird (all at TPC San Antonio) and Zimbabwe’s Nick Price (who defeated Australian Steve Elkington in a playoff in 1992 at Oak Hills) 205 — Current streak of holes played by Beau Hossler without a three-putt. That’s the longest active streak on the PGA TOUR. Jimmy Walker is second at 183. 63 — Course record at the AT&T Oaks course, shared by Matt Every (2012, Round 1) and Martin Laird (2013, Round 4). Scattershots Adam Scott won the Valero Texas Open in 2010 when the Oaks course made its debut as the tournament venue. He finished T-23 in his title defense in 2011, which is the last time he’s played this event until this week. Scott is the only TOUR pro to accomplish the Texas Slam (wins in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio). The 474-yard par-4 ninth is the only hole that doesn’t have a bunker. But it does have a deep, narrow, back-to-front sloping ground in which the ball gains speed if it’s aimed toward downtown San Antonio. Debuting in 1922, the Valero Texas Open is the third-oldest non-major on the PGA TOUR behind the BMW Championship (1899) and RBC Canadian Open (1904). With those tournaments held in various cities in their history, the Valero is the longest-running event held in the same city, albeit at eight different courses.