Day: May 15, 2018

Why Warriors’ guard Nick Young continues to find success against the Houston RocketsWhy Warriors’ guard Nick Young continues to find success against the Houston Rockets

HOUSTON — A little more than a year ago, Warriors guard Nick Young watched the 2017 Western Conference finals from sports bar in Los Angeles with a singular thought on his mind. “Man, I wish I could play in one of these games.� Now, with his Warriors leading the Houston Rockets 1-0 in the Western Conference

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Fantasy Insider: AT&T Byron NelsonFantasy Insider: AT&T Byron Nelson

What do you get after the chalk at Quail Hollow and the eraser that was TPC Sawgrass? It’s a clean slate, of course. That’s precisely how Trinity Forest in Dallas debuts as host of the AT&T Byron Nelson. As for how that translates into fantasy scoring, go into the tournament with an open mind. The most curious element concerns driving accuracy. With no rough between the native buffalo grass that frames most holes, percentages for fairways hit could be insanely high. Since PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO weighs driving over other components, fantasy scoring should follow suit, at least to a degree. Thus, avoiding zeroes on the weekend will be more important than usual. Lean first on reliable choices to make the cut, and then those who might pin the needle off the tee. With zero competitive course history, fantasy front-runners should be holding their breath. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the AT&T Byron Nelson (in alphabetical order): Billy Horschel Beau Hossler Marc Leishman Adam Scott Jordan Spieth Jimmy Walker You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Branden Grace; Martin Laird; Keith Mitchell; Grayson Murray; Ryan Palmer Driving: Charles Howell III; Russell Knox; Martin Laird; Keith Mitchell; Ryan Palmer Approach: Russell Knox; Matt Kuchar; Martin Laird; Ryan Palmer; Scott Piercy; Johnson Wagner Short: Branden Grace; Matt Kuchar; Martin Laird; Daniel Summerhays; Johnson Wagner Power Rankings Wild Card Sergio Garcia … Well, chalk one up for the skeptics of the Nappy Factor. (Understand that it was never advertised as being foolproof.) Certainly, we can’t rule out that the experience of being a first-time father at the age of 38 with a decorated career is greater than, say, a younger up-and-comer in a similar position who is looking to establish himself (e.g. Andrew Landry). So, as the Spaniard makes just his ninth start of the season, he presents as a contrarian piece on a new course that resembles a links-style test. In other words, class is permanent, just not necessarily in the short-term. Draws Joaquin Niemann … The 19-year-old from Chile was the last cut from the Power Rankings, which says something given his nascence. We should never forget his 67-67 finish to place sixth in his play-for-pay debut at the Valero Texas Open. His DFS value will rise incrementally, so invest freely and watch what happens. Kevin Tway … He’s cashed in 13 of 19 starts this season but hasn’t connected for a top 25. That’s hard to do and the drought won’t last. He has the makeup to execute admirably in the wind – a T28 at Corales in March is a season-best-tying finish – he’s T16 on TOUR in par-5 scoring and his DFS value should be reasonable. Grayson Murray (all) Scott Piercy (all) Rory Sabbatini (DFS) Fades Hideki Matsuyama … When a talent of his ilk scuffles, the leash is long. He’s earned that benefit of the doubt. However, since returning from the injury to his wrist, a solo 19th at the Masters is his only notable result. The rub is that that’s hardly “notable” for him. Now coming off a missed cut at THE PLAYERS, just his second MC in 15 months. Brandt Snedeker … Unfortunately, he’s rapidly drifted into the bin populated only by long-term values. The positive spin is that he could be on sale for full-season salary gamers in 2018-19 because he’s fully exempt through next season, but that this narrative has emerged at all is the overlying concern. Aaron Wise … This isn’t a knock inasmuch as it’s a “let’s see that again.” His co-runner-up finish at Quail Hollow two weeks ago cemented his card for next season, but it’s his only top 10 as a rookie in 17 starts. It also was his first top 30 in eight starts. There are larger question marks on the board at Trinity Forest, including the course itself, but the 21-year-old presents as a complementary option at best and not universally by format. Harris English Bill Haas J.B. Holmes Anirban Lahiri Kevin Na Returning to Competition Steve Marino … Walked off Quail Hollow during his second round of the Wells Fargo Championship. An explanation wasn’t released. He’s 1-for-3 with a T68 at the Valero Texas Open in his return to the PGA TOUR. Still has seven starts remaining on his Major Medical Extension, but hasn’t sustained the same form with which he resumed competition on the Web.com Tour earlier this year. David Berganio, Jr. … Due to ongoing issues with his back, the 49-year-old hasn’t pegged it on the PGA TOUR since 2009, but he still has seven starts to burn via a medical extension in the reshuffle category. He’s 0-for-2 on the Web.com Tour in 2018. Arguably best known among long-time observers as the playoff victim to Phil Mickelson in the 2002 CareerBuilder Challenge. Bob Estes … Withdrew after just one round of the Wells Fargo Championship due to allergies, which is nothing new to the 52-year-old. He’s scheduled to compete in this week’s Regions Tradition on the PGA TOUR Champions. Thanks to a new provision affecting the 50-and-older crowd, he won’t be losing a start on his Major Medical Extension on the PGA TOUR even though he’d have cracked the field at the AT&T Byron Nelson on merit because the Regions Tradition is a major. So, he’ll still have three starts on the medical when he reappears on the main circuit. Notable WDs Chesson Hadley … Collected his eighth six-figure paycheck of the season with a T11 at THE PLAYERS and sits 17th in the FedExCup standings. He’s a gold mine, not to mention a terrific example of grit and self-belief. Brice Garnett … He was due for rest. His breakthrough victory at Corales yielded an exemption into THE PLAYERS, which was his fifth consecutive start. Everything henceforth is gravy for full-season investors. Congratulations. Chez Reavie … It’s been over three months now since he recorded a top 25 on his own ball, but an electric start to the season has him positioned at 23rd in FedExCup points, so he can afford to be choosy. Steve Stricker … Acknowledged on the weekend at THE PLAYERS (where he finished T23) that he’d be a last-minute decision to stick with this commitment or return to the PGA TOUR Champions for the Regions Tradition – the first of five majors on that circuit. At second in Schwab Cup earnings, you can understand his motivation, but his tug of war between tours is going to be an ongoing “nice problem to have.” Trey Mullinax … You know we’re in the heart of the season when a golfer with conditional status opts out of any tournament. That means that playing time is no longer a concern. At 71st in the FedExCup standings, regaining fully exempt status for next season isn’t, either. Whee Kim … After a strong fall to secure his job for 2018-19, he’s banked only 25 FedExCup points in his last 14 starts, making it all but impossible to endorse in any format when he does lace it up. Power Rankings Recap – THE PLAYERS Championship Power Ranking Golfer Result 1 Jason Day T5 2 Justin Thomas T11 3 Rickie Fowler MC 4 Rory McIlroy MC 5 Henrik Stenson T23 6 Zach Johnson T75/MDF 7 Patrick Reed T41 8 Webb Simpson Win 9 Justin Rose T23 10 Ian Poulter T11 11 Francesco Molinari MC 12 Dustin Johnson T17 13 Kyle Stanley MC 14 Jordan Spieth T41 15 Louis Oosthuizen MC 16 Sergio Garcia 70th 17 Chesson Hadley T11 18 Adam Hadwin T57 19 Jon Rahm T63 20 Hideki Matsuyama MC Wild Card Phil Mickelson MC Sleepers Recap – THE PLAYERS Championship Golfer Result Branden Grace T46 Russell Henley MC Chris Kirk T46 Russell Knox MC Luke List MC Grayson Murray T30 Rory Sabbatini T30 Cameron Smith MC Steve Stricker T23 Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR May 15 … none May 16 … Bo Van Pelt (43); Derek Ernst (28) May 17 … Jason Gore (44); Søren Kjeldsen (43); Hunter Mahan (36); Andrew Yun (27) May 18 … none May 19 … K.J. Choi (48) May 20 … Branden Grace (30) May 21 … Stewart Cink (45); Gary Woodland (34); John Huh (28)

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Tick-tock, tick-tock: Phoenix Suns await what could be historic moment at NBA draft lotteryTick-tock, tick-tock: Phoenix Suns await what could be historic moment at NBA draft lottery

Scott Bordow is in Chicago for the 2018 NBA draft lottery, where the Suns have a 25 percent chance to get the No. 1 pick. CHICAGO – At about 5:20 p.m., the Suns will find out if they get the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft for the first time in franchise history. Three hours before the cards were unveiled

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NBA Draft night will show us if the Pacers are in win-now modeNBA Draft night will show us if the Pacers are in win-now mode

INDIANAPOLIS – A window into what the Pacers are thinking as they approach the NBA Draft suggests they’re looking for a versatile shooter with size. Then again, almost every other team outside of the lottery, which will be determined tonight, is seeking that very piece. Shooters are at a premium

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Billy Horschel’s UFO fascination grew after a close encounterBilly Horschel’s UFO fascination grew after a close encounter

The lights simply could not be explained. Billy Horschel was in a car with his mother and his younger brother that evening, driving down U.S. 1 along the Indian River lagoon in central Florida. The arched lights glowed yellow above the water as if to outline a bridge. Only, there was no bridge on the horizon. “I was like that’s weird, the Melbourne Causeway looks so nice and then it hit us that we had passed the Melbourne Causeway and there’s no other bridge for the next 40 or 50 miles,â€� Horschel recalled. “So it was just weird that there were six perfect lights that were hovering over the Indian River in a perfect little arch that looked like a bridge.â€� Horschel, his mom and brother weren’t the only ones who had seen the lights, either. In fact, so many people called the police to inquire about them that Florida Today ran an article the following day. “I can’t remember if they were still there when we passed them and then they disappeared or they disappeared when we were driving by,â€� Horschel said. “But the newspaper ran a story there were like mysterious lights on Melbourne Beach-type of deal. “I can’t remember how they phrased it but a lot of people called in.â€� We’re talking UFOs here, folks. At least that’s what many people thought — and in retrospect, Horschel agrees. “I believed in UFOs before that but that sort of sparked my interest,â€� he explained. “I just think that to think we’re the only people in this universe that are alive or living or anything like that is sort of naive in my opinion.â€� Horschel is in good company. In fact, an article earlier this year noted that Florida ranks second to California in sightings, according to the National UFO Reporting Center in Davenport, Washington. Horschel, who will defend his AT&T Byron Nelson title this week, said he first became interested in the UFO phenomenon when he was a teenager. The 2014 FedExCup champion loves to watch shows about the paranormal on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. His grandfather and an uncle worked at NASA, too, which might have fanned the flame. “I’m not big on reading books, but I’ll sit there in front of the TV and watch stuff like that all the time, or anything to deal with  history,â€� he said. “So I don’t know why I believe, but obviously watching those shows (made me think more about it).â€� Horschel is also well-acquainted with the conspiracy theories about a potential sighting in Roswell, New Mexico, back in 1947. The United States military first reported it was a weather balloon that crashed, but reversed course in the 1990s and said it was a nuclear test surveillance balloon from Project Mogul. Others aren’t so sure, though, insisting there was a cover-up. The local newspaper ran a story on July 8, 1947, with the headline: RAAF Captures Flying Saucer on Ranch in Roswell Region. The legend continues to this day, and Horschel is intrigued. “I’m sort of into that era, 1951, and all that secretive stuff,â€� Horschel said. “I like knowing stuff, stuff that people don’t know about or people keep hidden-type deal.â€� Horschel also thinks the Bigfoot phenomenon might be more than just folklore. But he acknowledges that of the two — UFOs or Sasquatch — having a giant hairy ape walking upright in the forest might be the least believable. “But when you think about every day new species and new things are being discovered in this world it sort of makes you think is this Bigfoot thing really real,â€� he said. “… So who knows?â€� Horschel said few of his peers know he believes in UFOs and Bigfoot. He’s prepared for the teasing that may follow this article — but at the same time, he knows he’s not alone in his beliefs. “Millions of people have seen UFOs and have video recordings,â€� Horschel said. “And when you think about pilots — these guys are in the skies hours and hours and they know what a plane is and  they know stuff and when they talk about their experiences and what they’ve seen and they can’t justify what they’ve seen, it sort of makes you think a little bit.â€� It does, indeed.

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