Brewers call up prospect Hiura, put Shaw on ILBrewers call up prospect Hiura, put Shaw on IL
The Brewers have promoted second baseman Keston Hiura, their top overall prospect, from the minors.
Day: May 14, 2019
Tiger Woods ‘rested and ready ahead of PGA ChampionshipTiger Woods ‘rested and ready ahead of PGA Championship
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – History could be on Tiger Woods’ side this week. The last time the PGA Championship was played in May, the winner was the same man who won the Masters a month earlier. That was Sam Snead, who won both events in 1949. You may have heard that Woods won this year’s Masters. Now he’s trying to win the year’s first two majors for just the second time in his career. He accomplished the feat in 2002, when Augusta National and Bethpage Black were the venues. Woods doesn’t need the assistance of omens, though. He’s no longer a man on the comeback trail. He’s once again one of the best players on the planet. Period. He’s been victorious in two of his last seven starts and finished no worse than sixth in the past three major championships. The question is no longer “ifâ€� but “how many?â€� This week, he can tie Snead’s record for most PGA TOUR victories (82). And the pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ 18 majors is debate fodder once again. The conversation continues this week after Woods’ lengthy post-Masters layoff. Despite speculation to the contrary, Woods said he was physically able to play two weeks ago at the Wells Fargo Championship. He just needed more time to relax and relish in a victory that was once unthinkable. “I wasn’t ready yet to start the grind of practicing and preparing,â€� said Woods, who ranks 18th in the FedExCup. “I was feeling good in the gym, but I wasn’t mentally prepared to log in the hours.â€� Woods said he feels “rested and readyâ€� this week. If he is to win his 16th major this week, though, he’ll have to do it with a different game than the powerful one he used to win the 2002 U.S. Open on this brawny Long Island muni. Woods dominated with distance back then. He was the only player to finish under par on a 7,214-yard course that was the longest U.S. Open venue in history. He locked up the title by reaching the par-5 13th in two with a 2-iron from 263 yards. No one else in the field possessed that shot. Woods ranked seventh in both driving distance and driving accuracy that week. He hit 73% of the fairways on a week while the field averaged 59%. He hit 53 greens in regulation, five more than anyone else in the field. He had a 74% success rate with his irons on a week when the field barely hit more than half the greens. Back then, Woods’ biggest differentiator may have been his ability to gouge balls out of the rough and onto the green. Woods had enough speed to dig shots out of even the thickest rough while other players were pitching out. It’s why he was dominant at Firestone and Torrey Pines, two courses that perennially have the toughest fairways to hit. The name may be different, but this week’s setup is expected to be reminiscent of the previous major championships held here. Rain played a role in both U.S. Opens here, as it already has this week. Defending champion Brooks Koepka expected a winning score around even par. The rough is thick and wet. Words like and “brutishâ€� are appropriate descriptors for Bethpage Black, the only course that greets players with a warning sign. “In order to win this one, driving is going to be at the forefront,â€� Woods said. He’ll need to hit fairways to take advantage of his strongest asset. Iron play is still Woods’ forte. He leads the TOUR in greens in regulation and ranks 14th in Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green. But at 43 years old and with a fused back, the speed isn’t quite the same. Related: Featured groups, tee times | Power Rankings | Tiger-Snead: Tale of the tape | Koepka’s goal: 10 majors | JT withdraws with wrist injury | Nine things to know about Bethpage | Spieth ‘under the radar’ in latest career Grand Slam bid | Tiger ‘would certainly welcome’ spot in 2020 Olympics He has to play the role of wily veteran, relying on his smarts more than his speed. That’s what he did at Augusta National, which he used to decimate with his drives. He won this year’s Masters while ranking 44th (out of 65 players) in driving distance. The pivotal moment came on No. 12, when he played the safe shot while the other contenders crumbled around him. Woods sees similarities between himself and Peyton Manning, who won a Super Bowl after neck surgery. Or a pitcher who has to rely on command after their fastball has lost a couple mph. “Just because someone doesn’t have the strength to do something, he’s going to figure out a different way,â€� Woods said. “I don’t have a fastball. (Manning) couldn’t zip the ball into the tight little windows. He had to anticipate more. He has to do more work in the film room. I had to do more work on managing my game, my body, understanding it, what I can and cannot do.â€� That’s why the driver may be his most important club this week. Hitting to Bethpage Black’s elevated greens from the rough will be a tall task for everyone, especially those who aren’t among the longest hitters. Woods, who wowed with some eye-popping swing speeds last season, is 52nd in driving distance this week (299.6 yards). “He seems to have lost a bit of ball speed this year, which I think is a conscious decision to take some pressure off his back,â€� said Padraig Harrington. “He realizes if you’re still leading greens in regulation, … he doesn’t need that ball speed.â€� Harrington was impressed with how Woods played the final holes at Augusta National. After a couple unsuccessful attempts to hit a draw off the tee, Harrington saw a man who stopped trying to play the “properâ€� shot and accrue style points. “He just played to win,â€� Harrington said. “He hit a fade off the 14th, he hit a fade off the 15th, where you’re trying for a bit of distance. He was just getting the job done and winning the tournament.â€�
Rozier: ‘I might have to go’ if Celts stay intactRozier: ‘I might have to go’ if Celts stay intact
Terry Rozier on Tuesday discussed on ESPN First Take what went wrong with the Celtics this season and having to take a lesser role with the returns of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.
Rangers, Islanders and Flyers lead Metro Division prospect systemsRangers, Islanders and Flyers lead Metro Division prospect systems
Many Metropolitan teams have restocked in rebuilds. Which prospects are ready to make the NHL jump next season?
Four guards, or two bigs? Here’s the style Bill Self sees his team playing in 2019-20Four guards, or two bigs? Here’s the style Bill Self sees his team playing in 2019-20
Bill Self — for most of his career — has built offenses that thrive with two big men playing at the same time. That hasn’t been the case as much recently. For the last three seasons, KU has mostly transitioned to a four-guard offense, with only a single big man roaming the lane. It begs the question
Four guards, or two bigs? Here’s the style Bill Self sees his team playing in 2019-20Four guards, or two bigs? Here’s the style Bill Self sees his team playing in 2019-20
Bill Self — for most of his career — has built offenses that thrive with two big men playing at the same time. That hasn’t been the case as much recently. For the last three seasons, KU has mostly transitioned to a four-guard offense, with only a single big man roaming the lane. It begs the question
Rules, format for Monster Energy All-Star RaceRules, format for Monster Energy All-Star Race
The Monster Energy Open and All-Star Race will be held Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Power Rankings: Kyle Busch hangs on at No. 1Power Rankings: Kyle Busch hangs on at No. 1
Busch finished 30th on Saturday, snapping his streak of top-10 finishes to start the season and relinquishing his points lead..
Mercedes fastest as Ilott crashes hard on F1 debutMercedes fastest as Ilott crashes hard on F1 debut
Mercedes’ domination of the Circuit de Catalunya continued into the first day of this week’s in-season test in Spain as Valtteri Bottas topped the timesheets by 1.711s.
Power Rankings: PGA ChampionshipPower Rankings: PGA Championship
The new norm. Only if you were born during World War II might you remember the last time the PGA Championship was contested in May. It was on May 31st in 1949 when any round was last held in the month. Save a spot start in February of 1971, the major has been played in June, July or August ever since. The transition gives a new generation the experience to identify with the PGA of America’s flagship event in its new slot on the schedule for the foreseeable future. It was shifted from August to accommodate the FedExCup Playoffs. This Power Rankings includes the entire field of 156 at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course. Scroll beyond the sections for nuggets on the host track, what it likely will require to win and more. WILD CARD Bryson DeChambeau … In due time, he’ll collect on his fair share of leaderboard appearances in the majors, but a T15 in the 2016 U.S. Open remains his only top 20 in 11 starts combined. He’s also gone six starts in advance of this week with only one top 20, that a T20 at THE PLAYERS Championship. CHALLENGERS There are deleted scenes in every feature film. They were worthy of production, but not everything shot makes it into theaters. Ranked in order of Rob’s confidence (* – former champion; 2016 THE NORTHERN TRUST finish) Webb Simpson (T48) Kevin Kisner (T48) Bubba Watson (T13) Lucas Glover (T70) Eddie Pepperell *Phil Mickelson (T13) Rafa Cabrera Bello Patrick Reed (Win) Matt Wallace Billy Horschel (T13) Justin Harding Henrik Stenson (WD) Tony Finau (12th) Jason Kokrak (T7) Marc Leishman (MC) Jorge Campillo Ryan Palmer (T13) Matthew Fitzpatrick Sung Kang (T18) Ryan Moore (T7) Hao Tong Li SLEEPERS Often the sexiest picks because of rising or even hidden value, each of these guys packs a punch on some level. It wouldn’t surprise keen observers if any made noise. Ranked in order of Rob’s confidence (^ – debutant; 2016 THE NORTHERN TRUST finish) Pat Perez Thomas Pieters Kyle Stanley (T74) Julian Suri ^Keith Mitchell ^Joel Dahmen Si Woo Kim (MC) Joost Luiten Thorbjørn Olesen Jhonattan Vegas (T22) Mikko Korhonen Emiliano Grillo (T2) ^Erik van Rooyen Chez Reavie (T31) Mike Lorenzo-Vera Shugo Imahira QUESTION MARKS Half of the field of 156 is split into the two subcategories below. Placement is relative to fit, form and other variables. ARROW UP Ranked in order of Rob’s confidence (* – former champion; ^ – debutant; 2016 THE NORTHERN TRUST finish) Gary Woodland (T4) Kiradech Aphibarnrat Graeme McDowell (MC) Jordan Spieth (T10) Branden Grace (MC) Steve Stricker (T53) Kevin Na (MC) Tyrrell Hatton Charley Hoffman (T13) *Jason Dufner (T22) Russell Knox (T60) Aaron Wise ^Max Homa Jim Furyk (T41) Daniel Berger (T70) Sungjae Im Troy Merritt (MC) Ross Fisher Richard Sterne Kurt Kitayama ^Jazz Janewattananond Brian Gay ^David Lipsky Brendan Jones ^J.T. Poston ^Tom Lewis *Y.E. Yang *Padraig Harrington ARROW DOWN Ranked in order of Rob’s confidence (* – former champion; ^ – debutant; 2016 THE NORTHERN TRUST finish) *Keegan Bradley (T53) Cameron Smith Shane Lowry ^Lucas Bjerregaard Adam Hadwin (T64) Brandt Snedeker (T48) Byeong Hun An J.B. Holmes (T41) Lee Westwood Michael Thompson Joaquin Niemann Ryan Fox ^Corey Conners Luke List (MC) *Martin Kaymer Zach Johnson (T48) Alex Noren Ryan Armour ^Kevin Tway *Jimmy Walker (MC) ^Martin Trainer Adrian Otaegui ^Lucas Herbert Charles Howell III (MC) Danny Lee (MC) Andrew Putnam Patton Kizzire (MC) Beau Hossler Dylan Frittelli ^Cameron Champ ^Abraham Ancer J.J. Spaun Danny Willett Harold Varner III (T60) Brian Harman (T22) Brandon Stone ^Shaun Norris ^Sam Burns ^C.T. Pan Alexander Björk Satoshi Kodaira ^Adam Long ^Bronson Burgoon ^Richy Werenski Chesson Hadley Kelly Kraft Michael Kim (MC) *Shaun Micheel *John Daly *Rich Beem PGA PROFESSIONALS The 11 PGA professionals in the field who have competed in at least one previous PGA Championship are a combined 1-for-30. Only Rob Labritz (T68, 2010) has survived a cut. In the last seven editions of the major, only three have made a cut. Ben Kern’s T42 at Bellerive last year was the best finish by a club professional since Steve Schneiter placed T40 at Baltusrol in 2005. Ranked in order of Rob’s confidence (% – former PGA TOUR member; # of prior appearances in parentheses) Alex Beach (1) %Jason Caron (0) %Craig Bowden (1) Rod Perry (5) Ben Cook (0) Rob Labritz (5) Marty Jertson (3) Ryan Vermeer (2) Stuart Deane (2) Danny Balin (5) Casey Russell (0) Craig Hocknull (1) Rich Berberian, Jr. (4) John O’Leary (1) Justin Bertsch (0) Brian Mackey (0) Cory Schneider (0) Jeffrey Schmid (0) Andrew Filbert (0) Tyler Hall (0) NOTE: Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Sam Ryder, Charl Schwartzel and Justin Thomas qualified but will not compete. Having hosted the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009, Bethpage Black isn’t new to major championships. It’s also not a stranger to a strong percentage of PGA TOUR membership as it also served as the backdrop for THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2012 and 2016. As of midday Monday and as noted above throughout the sections, 57 in this week’s field appeared in the latter edition. Bethpage played as a par 71 in its first two spins as the opener of the FedExCup Playoffs (for which it will return in 2021), but it reverts to its familiar par of 70 for the PGA Championship. The seventh hole is reduced to a par 4 measuring 524 yards. That’s down 29 yards since the 2016 edition of THE NORTHERN TRUST. The par-4 12th and 15th holes are 14 and six yards longer, respectively, so the overall yardage of 7,459 reflects a nine-yard decrease. Navigating the 83-year-old test in Farmingdale, New York, requires a blend of a balanced attack, course management and enough muscle off the tee to hang with the big boys who have an advantage. Because the course should set up to yield a winner dipping into double digits under par, distance control and precision on approach are the keys. A taut short game plays a supporting role. Fescue awaits the most wayward of drives, but the primary concern is the three-and-a-half inch rough framing the relatively narrow and at-times angled fairways. Poa annua greens are varied is size and smaller than TOUR average. The only water hazard fronts the green on the par-3 eighth hole. Because the tournament is conducted in the spring – versus in June (U.S. Open) or August (Playoffs) – and because of a mild winter on Long Island, the Black Course is poised to launch the era of the PGA Championship in May as if it’s been scheduled at this time all along. Yes, many trees won’t be in full bloom and apparel will reflect cooler air at this time of year, but the forecast is favorable to spotlight a fair, stern challenge. Daytimes highs won’t escape the 60s and winds might not freshen in earnest until Sunday’s finale. Early-week rain will help set the stage for an early low round, but not much in the form of precipitation is expected during the tournament. ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled. MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Fantasy Insider WEDNESDAY: One & Done * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesdays.