Kawhi Leonard & Paul George (Clippers), Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving (Nets) form pop-up super teamsKawhi Leonard & Paul George (Clippers), Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving (Nets) form pop-up super teams
Teams have never added stars like this
Day: July 11, 2019
Laird hot at John Deere after skipping national openLaird hot at John Deere after skipping national open
SILVIS, Ill. – It’s typical of Scotland’s Martin Laird to be playing golf the second week in July, but he’s usually playing in his national open. At 126th in the FedExCup, he opted instead for the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run this week. Good choice. Laird, who is T111 in Driving Accuracy this year, hit 13 of 14 fairways and made just one bogey as he opened with a 6-under 65. Not a bad start for a guy who hasn’t pegged it in the Quad Cities since he finished T29 in 2008. Laird was tied with Andrew Landry and one behind leader Adam Long after the morning wave. “I remember my rookie year on TOUR,â€� said Laird, 36, who is here with his wife, Meagan, and son Jack, 5, and Hannah, 3. “I enjoyed this place, and I played pretty decent, I think. I can’t remember but I think I played okay. “It was just a clash of dates,â€� he added. “It was hard to turn down going back and playing my national open. Otherwise I would have been here almost every year. This year I made the decision a couple months ago to come here this year instead of going back to Scotland, and obviously after the round today I’m happy with that.â€� In the second group out and starting on the back nine, Laird, playing with Sam Ryder (67) and Sam Saunders (68), could easily have gone lower. After a 350-yard drive and a laser-like approach he missed a birdie from just outside 11 feet on his last hole, No. 9. He hit a tree off the tee and missed a six-foot par putt on No. 8. Laird is a three-time PGA TOUR winner who has finished in the top 125 in the FedExCup in nine of the last 11 seasons. Although he’s 126th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee, he said after his round that by watching videotape he pinpointed an issue with his putting, namely that he was moving his head. He took just 28 putts Thursday. The round comes on the heels of a hot finish at the 3M Open (final-round 65, T42). “Obviously I’m very aware of it, yeah,â€� he said of his position just outside the top 125 in the FedExCup. “I’ve not really been in this position for a little while. It’s something different. … I’ve been knowing for a while that I’m close to having a really, really good week. I’m in a position that I just need one solid good finish and I’ll be fine.â€�
Chase Briscoe to defend Eldora Truck win with ThorSport RacingChase Briscoe to defend Eldora Truck win with ThorSport Racing
Chase Briscoe looking to become first driver to win Eldora Truck race in back-to-back years.
Halfway home: Statistical look at 2019 Cup SeriesHalfway home: Statistical look at 2019 Cup Series
While drivers from Joe Gibbs Racing have won 10 of 18 races this year, there have been more different winners in the first half of this season than there were in 2018.
Indians look to cut into Twins’ division leadIndians look to cut into Twins’ division lead
The Cleveland Indians have won 21 of their last 29 contests to shave six games off their sizable deficit in the American League Central and keep the heat on the first-place Minnesota Twins. The Indians vie to turn up the temperature even more on Friday when they carry a season-high six-game winning
Marisnick suspended 2 games for Lucroy collisionMarisnick suspended 2 games for Lucroy collision
Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick was suspended two games for colliding with Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy on Sunday.
Ex-Tennessee forward DJ Burns is transferring to WinthropEx-Tennessee forward DJ Burns is transferring to Winthrop
ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — Former Tennessee forward DJ Burns is returning to his hometown to play for Winthrop.
Who’s No. 1? All-Star break Power RankingsWho’s No. 1? All-Star break Power Rankings
Our midseason assessment may make Dodgers and Yankees fans happy, but here’s where every team stands heading into the second half of the 2019 MLB season.
From LA to NY: All-Star break Power RankingsFrom LA to NY: All-Star break Power Rankings
Our midseason assessment may make Dodgers and Yankees fans happy, but here’s where every team stands heading into the second half of the 2019 MLB season.
British Open’s return to Portrush brings mysteryBritish Open’s return to Portrush brings mystery
Golf’s oldest championship returns to the Dunluce Links of Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951, the only occasion in 159 years that it was not in Scotland or England.
