Leaderboard: Can Rory win WGC-HSBC title?Leaderboard: Can Rory win WGC-HSBC title?
Rory McIlroy takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Day: November 2, 2019
Fantasy fallout: Signs of life for David Montgomery, rookie RBsFantasy fallout: Signs of life for David Montgomery, rookie RBs
Devin Singletary, Miles Sanders and Darrell Henderson are getting more chances. How viable are they as fantasy RB options in the second half?
McIlroy has China in his handsMcIlroy has China in his hands
Rory McIlroy holds a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. (Getty Images)
Mets hire Carlos Beltrán as managerMets hire Carlos Beltrán as manager
Carlos Beltran, two years removed from his playing career and with no managerial experience, has been picked by the New York Mets to replace Mickey Callaway. The Mets announced the move Friday. A nine-time All-Star during 20 major league seasons, Beltran played for the Mets from 2005-11.
McIlroy vows to keep foot on gas in chase for victoryMcIlroy vows to keep foot on gas in chase for victory
Catch me if you can. Reigning FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy has laid down the gauntlet to his chasers at the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions, vowing to continue his aggressive play at Sheshan International Golf Club. For the third straight round, McIlroy posted a 5-under 67 in Shanghai to earn to the 54-hole lead at 15 under. He is one clear of Louis Oosthuizen and two in front of Matthew Fitzpatrick and defending champion Xander Schauffele. Since using a similar assertive mindset to claim last season’s RBC Canadian Open, where he carded a final-round 61 to earn victory, the 17-time PGA TOUR winner has tried to take wins, not protect them. He’s also armed with the knowledge that 54-hole leaders have often been reeled in at this event. Not to mention his last WGC event saw him give up the lead on Sunday when he fell into the trap of worrying about other competitors. This time, McIlroy will not die wondering. Related: Leaderboard | Li lets chance at history slip away | Three lead at Bermuda Championship “I want to go out there and be committed, play aggressively, and shoot a good number,â€� McIlroy said. “I took a lot from the win in Canada earlier this year. I went out tied for the lead, and I just said from the start, ‘I’m going to keep my foot down and I’m going to go for everything.’ It was a good lesson that when you do have something right there, in front of you, a tournament to win or something to achieve, you just have to grab it with both hands, and that’s what I’ll do tomorrow.â€� While others faced rollercoaster third rounds, McIlroy just went about his business without mistakes. He recorded one of only three bogey-free rounds on the day. “Right now, the game feels pretty simple. I know that it’s not going to feel like that all the time, but when it does, you have to take advantage of that feeling,â€� he added. “I’ve given myself another opportunity to win a very big golf tournament, a tournament that I’ve never won before. There’s enough guys close to me that I just need to go out there and play aggressively. Just have a similar mindset to the mindset I’ve had over the first few days.â€� Oosthuizen surged into contention with a 7-under 65 – the best score of the day – that included starting with five consecutive birdies. The South African is looking to add to his lone PGA TOUR win – the 2010 Open Championship. While he has eight European Tour wins to his name, Oosthuizen has been plagued on the PGA TOUR with eight runner-up finishes since his Open Championship win. “Winning a World event will be a big achievement, and I need to just go out and play some good golf,â€� Oosthuizen said. “I played with Rory the last two rounds last week. He’s absolutely striping it. I need to play really good golf tomorrow.â€� Oosthuizen admitted to nerves on Saturday, but not about his golf. Rather he was thinking of the Rugby World Cup Final between his native South Africa and England to be played between the third and fourth rounds. He was hoping for a win to use as an omen. Schauffele won’t be watching the match. He’s still overcoming the flu, so it’s remarkable the defending champion is even in the mix. He won from three behind a year ago. This time he’s just two adrift. “No one has ever repeated here. It’s a packed leaderboard… I just want a chance with nine holes to play. I think I’ll be pretty satisfied with that,â€� Schauffele said. “It’s been a long week. Strength is slowly coming back. Just give myself a chance and I’ll be able to hold my head high if I do that. “Of course I want to win and kick everyone’s face in, but at the same time, I’m just here to have a good time and have fun. I wasn’t expecting to play this well at the beginning of the week, so I’m probably the happiest guy here in the tournament.â€� Fitzpatrick surrendered the lead he had at the halfway point to McIlroy, much like he did at the World Golf Championships – FedEx St. Jude Invitational. He’s had four runner-up finishes worldwide this year and was ultimately fourth in Memphis. “Everybody is here is to win. If not, you may as well go home. Be a good day tomorrow,â€� Fitzpatrick said. “Unfortunately Rory is playing very well. He’s playing very annoying. I’ve got to play well tomorrow. That’s why it’s a World Golf Championships. It’s got the best players in the world.â€� Even if McIlroy does win, he won’t overcome Brooks Koepka at the top of the world rankings. but he will close the gap significantly. He will, however, almost certainly take the top spot in the FedExCup rankings. No player has ever won the FedExCup three times or defended the crown. McIlroy will aim for both in 2019-20. Catch him if you can.
Report: Steve Belichick serving as Patriots’ defensive play callerReport: Steve Belichick serving as Patriots’ defensive play caller
The Patriots have the NFL’s best defense, but they don’t have a defensive coordinator, and it’s never been clear who exactly is making the play calls on Sundays. But it appears that the primary play caller on New England’s defense is Steve Belichick, the safeties coach and son of head
LeBron outduels Luka as L.A. wins OT showdownLeBron outduels Luka as L.A. wins OT showdown
LeBron James and Luka Doncic became the oldest and youngest players in NBA history, respectively, to record a 30-10-15 game with competing triple-doubles Friday night as the Lakers prevailed over the Mavs in overtime.
LeBron outduels Luka as L.A. wins OT showdownLeBron outduels Luka as L.A. wins OT showdown
LeBron James and Luka Doncic became the oldest and youngest players in NBA history, respectively, to record a 30-10-15 game with competing triple-doubles Friday night as the Lakers prevailed over the Mavs in OT.
Li lets chance at history slip awayLi lets chance at history slip away
The spectators were becoming giddy. Haotong Li had started the third round of the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions with a serious flourish, and China dared to dream about their first ever WGC win. Five birdies in his opening six holes on Saturday at Sheshan International Golf Club had Li soaring all the way to the lead at 13 under in his home country, much to the delight of the large galleries. Related: Leaderboard | Three lead at Bermuda Championship | Fitzpatrick seeking elusive first TOUR win After opening the tournament with an 8-under 64 to lead the way, Li had stalled on Friday with an even-par 72. But the ground he lost had been reclaimed, and you couldn’t find a bigger smile on the golf course than the one on the two-time European Tour winner’s face. A couple hours later, however, that face was ashen. There would only be one more birdie in his last 12 holes, and with it, five bogeys and a triple bogey. A 74 meant Li would finish at 6 under and is now a distant nine shots off the lead with a round to play. The killer blow was the triple bogey that came on the par-4 13th. While he had already started his descent with two bogeys prior, it was a huge mistake from a greenside bunker that effectively ended his thoughts of victory. Facing a relatively innocuous shot from the sand, Li caught all ball and airmailed the green into a penalty area. After a drop and a chip, plus a putt that lipped out, all of his earlier good work had been wiped away. Li will look to finish strong on Sunday and continue his decent WGC form of late. He has finished inside the top 20 of the last four WGCs. After wrapping up his European Tour season with three more events, the 25-year-old will be part of the International Team at the Presidents Cup Dec 12-15 at Royal Melbourne, becoming the first player to represent mainland China in the event’s history.
Warriors’ woes continue as Green injures fingerWarriors’ woes continue as Green injures finger
The Warriors’ Draymond Green injured his left index finger on Friday, just two nights after Stephen Curry broke his left hand, and the forward said he was dealing with a “ligament” issue that could keep him off the court.