Booker on First All-Star GameBooker on First All-Star Game
Devon Booker talks to TNT’s Allie LaForce about appearing in his first All-Star Game.
Day: February 15, 2020
He rises again: D12 taking flight in dunk contestHe rises again: D12 taking flight in dunk contest
The Lakers’ Dwight Howard was determined to find joy again in the NBA, and Saturday night’s Slam Dunk Contest is emblematic of his renaissance.
Final act set for Hollywood finish at RivieraFinal act set for Hollywood finish at Riviera
PACIFIC PALISAIDES, Calif. – Blockbuster venue. Blockbuster host. Time for a blockbuster finish. The Genesis Invitational looks set for a Hollywood worthy conclusion at Riviera Country Club after three former PLAYERS champions jostled their way into a tie for the lead with 18 holes to play. Reigning FedExCup champion and PGA TOUR Player of the Year Rory McIlroy (3-under 68) was joined by former event champion Adam Scott (67) and first and second round leader Matt Kuchar (70) at 10 under to set up an enticing final three-ball on Sunday. Combined, the trio have 40 PGA TOUR wins and 161 top-5s. In Los Angeles, the stars always come out. Riviera was once the playground of Ben Hogan who dominated for a period by winning this event in 1947 and 1948, while also claiming the 1948 U.S. Open at the venue. Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Phil Mickelson and Tom Watson are just some of the plethora of stars on the former Riviera winners list. Related: Leaderboard | TOUR pros: My first time with Tiger It has long been a coveted place to win. Just ask tournament host Tiger Woods who fell out of contention with a 5-over 76 on Saturday. No other course has repelled Woods like the one where he made his PGA TOUR debut as a 16-year-old. Yet he continues to press to fill the “gapâ€� in his resume. Strangely enough, Jack Nicklaus never won here either… but almost everyone else of note has. “There’s not a PGA TOUR event you wouldn’t want to win, but there are a handful that are extra special, have a great list of past champions, have a great golf course. This one’s one of those,â€� Kuchar says. “You chalk it up as one of those sort of extra special TOUR events that you really hope to put your name as a past champion.â€� Kuchar is chasing TOUR win no. 10, hoping to become just the 116th player in history to hit double digit wins, joining both Scott and McIlroy. The American typically has not fared well at Riviera having never finished inside the top 5 in 12 previous appearances. Scott has fared well at Riviera before. In 2005, he won the tournament, yet it does not count as one of his 13 official wins. Back then, torrential rain hit the course and it was shortened to 36 holes – although Scott had to win in a playoff. He seeks to join Bruce Crampton with the third most wins by an Australian on the PGA TOUR behind Greg Norman (20) and Jim Ferrier (18)… even if he feels he already has. “That is just a bit of motivation for me to win tomorrow here and have an official victory at Riviera and the Genesis Invitational… that would be extremely satisfying for me,â€� he said. The 39-year-old is in his first TOUR start since early November although he did play in the Presidents Cup in December and won the Australian PGA Championship the week after being part of the loss to the U.S. at Royal Melbourne. That was his first win of any kind since going back-to-back at The Honda Classic and the World Golf Championships – Mexico Championship in consecutive weeks in early 2016. Scott spoke earlier in the week of purposely starving himself of competition until he had the urge to come back, making sure he is always competitively sharp. He has two runner up finishes to go with the win at Riviera and was in the final group a year ago. “I almost feel like I know what I’m doing after 20 years of having a season and having a break and coming back out. I know what this course kind of demands of you,â€� Scott said. “If I can replicate today for 18 holes tomorrow, I’ll be very pleased no matter what happens, but I’ll definitely be giving myself a chance at it.â€� And then there is McIlroy. Recently reinstated as world No. 1, the two-time FedExCup champion is looking for a 19th TOUR win, which would also likely move him to the top of the season long standings. He has been inside the top 20 in his previous three trips to Riviera, including a T4 finish a year ago. The Northern Irishman is wary of his Sunday playing partners, but also knows this is far from a race in three. Just a shot behind the lead trio sits Russell Henley and Harold Varner III, while Dustin Johnson and Joel Dahmen are two back. Nine others, including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Hideki Matsuyama are within four of the lead. “You just have to worry about yourself, concentrate on what you’re doing, do it well, set yourself a target, don’t think about anyone else and if that’s good enough at the end of the day, then great,â€� McIlroy says. “If not, then someone just played better than you and hats off to them.â€�
Kobe memorial tickets demand exceeds capacityKobe memorial tickets demand exceeds capacity
Capacity at Staples Center is approximately 20,000, but more than 90K have registered for tickets in the first 24 hours, according to a source.
Sharks lose Karlsson for rest of seasonSharks lose Karlsson for rest of season
Erik Karlsson, In what has been a disappointing season for the defenseman and San Jose, suffered a broken thumb.
Embiid, Simmons say success a matter of timeEmbiid, Simmons say success a matter of time
The Sixers’ struggles on offense have many questioning whether Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons can have success together, but both said Saturday that the team will be better after the All-Star break.
Howard hints Kobe tribute at slam dunk contestHoward hints Kobe tribute at slam dunk contest
Dwight Howard was hoping Kobe Bryant would work with him at the 2020 slam dunk competition but following the future Hall of Famer’s death last month, Howard hints he’ll pay tribute to him at the event.
Scott, Kuchar, McIlroy share lead at The Genesis InvitationalScott, Kuchar, McIlroy share lead at The Genesis Invitational
LOS ANGELES — Rory McIlroy had a 3-under 68 on Saturday at Riviera and shared the 54-hole lead with Matt Kuchar and Adam Scott going into the final round at The Genesis Invitational. Riviera is a thorough test, and the greens are difficult enough that no one could run away with it. Tiger Woods managed to run the other direction with a 76 that left him 15 shots behind. Kuchar had a two-shot lead at the start of the gorgeous day and kept there with three birdies and no bogeys through 12 holes. But he started to miss short putts, made three bogeys in a four-hole stretch and had to rally with a birdie on the 17th to regain a share of the lead with a 70. Scott holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 67 that gives him a great chance to start his new year off with a win. Scott last played about two months ago when he won the Australian PGA Championship. He has a trophy from Riviera in 2005, even if the PGA TOUR doesn’t count it as an official win because it was shortened to 36 holes by rain. They were at at 10-under-par 203, and the final round figured to be wide open. Sixteen players were separated by four shots. Harold Varner III birdied his last two holes for a 69 and was one shot behind, along with Russell Henley (68). Dustin Johnson, who won at Riviera three years ago, had only two pars over his final 12 holes. That stretch also featured five birdies and an eagle for a 67. He was two shots behind, along with Joel Dahmen (66). Still in the mix was Hideki Matsuyama, who bogeyed his last hole Friday and was the last player to make the cut. Matsuyama played in the final group off the back nine, away from all the attention, and posted a 64. He was four shots behind and very much in the picture. Woods will have to wait another year to win at Riviera, another week to seek his record 83rd victory on the PGA TOUR. In a spot where he couldn’t afford to drop shots, he made more mistakes than he had all week, especially on the greens. He four-putted from 18 feet on No. 13, his second four-putt in as many tournaments this year and the first times since 1998 that Woods had multiple tournaments with a four-putt. He three-putted the 17th for par. He finished with a three-putt bogey from about 12 feet on the 18th. It added up to a 76, leaving him at the bottom of the pack. It was his highest score since he opened with an 81 at Royal Portrush in The Open Championship last summer, and the first time since the PGA Championship in May that Woods had consecutive rounds over par. “I hit the ball quite a few times, especially on the greens, and it was a long day,” Woods said. “I didn’t have a feel for it, I didn’t see my lines, I couldn’t feel my pace and I was just off. … Obviously, there wasn’t a whole lot I did right today, and figure it out tomorrow.” Woods said he wasn’t ready for the WGC-Mexico Championship next week and was not sure when he would play next. The idea is to peak for the Masters, still about two months away. Woods wasn’t alone in his struggles. Sung Kang missed a 2-foot putt during a stretch of three straight bogeys. Ryan Palmer took six shots to get out of a greenside bunker on No. 14 and made 9.
Westbrook over having media control narrativeWestbrook over having media control narrative
Rockets guard Russell Westbrook hasn’t been as prickly with the media since arriving in Houston, all part of what the nine-time All-Star said is about no longer letting the media control narratives about him.
Baker to MLB: Tell teams to ‘stop the comments’ on AstrosBaker to MLB: Tell teams to ‘stop the comments’ on Astros
Dusty Baker wants action from Major League Baseball: End the criticism of the Astros from across baseball over sign stealing, and take steps to ensure pitchers don’t throw at his players. ”It’s not good for the game, it’s not good for kids to see it, so I think both,” the
