Dodgers scratch Kershaw from Game 2 startDodgers scratch Kershaw from Game 2 start
Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw has been scratched from his Game 2 start because of back spasms.
Day: October 13, 2020
Brooks Koepka returns from injuryBrooks Koepka returns from injury
LAS VEGAS - Brooks Koepka believes his hip and knee injury concerns are past him as he gets set to return at THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK after a two-month break. Koepka revealed he once again had stem cell therapy injections in his left knee during his time off to help repair a partially torn patella tendon and also had a cortisone injection in his hip after he partially tore his labrum during the PGA Championship. The two-time PGA TOUR Player of the Year missed the FedExCup Playoffs and U.S. Open while rehabilitating. This week is his first start of the new 2020-21 season. His knee had been bothering him on and off for over a year. A year ago at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Koepka revealed the painful stem cell treatment he'd undergone on his left knee in 2019 to get back to full strength. Unfortunately he then slipped on wet concrete at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in South Korea soon after, re-injuring the tendon. While he tried to manage the issue his left hip took on extra load as he was unable to shift his weight correctly to his left side. That's how he tore the labrum. That happened at the PGA Championship in August where he received treatment mid-round on Friday. Despite being in contention with a round to play, a Sunday 74 sent the four-time major winner scuttling down the leaderboard. While he went to great lengths not to use the injuries as excuses throughout 2020, it took a runner-up finish at the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in August to even secure a place in the Playoffs. Now he admits "it’s the whole reason I played like crap," but is confident the troubles are behind him. "I’ve got my body squared away, feels a lot better. I didn’t know how bad I felt until I actually feel good. It’s nice to be back," Koepka said ahead of playing at Shadow Creek this week. "Memorial (July) was kind of its peak of when it was its worst, and then at the PGA it didn’t feel great. Obviously just progressively kept getting worse. I did another round of PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy about three weeks ago on my knee and then I had a shot in my hip at Boston. It’s just all about trying to make sure everything’s good. I spent basically the last month out in San Diego doing rehab every day and just trying to get better." While he is talking a positive game the 30-year-old knows he's not totally out of the woods if the hip issue becomes more serious. "It’s not a full tear, but there’s definitely a tear there. If cortisone doesn’t work and it actually gets worse, it will be surgery and you’re out for nine months," he explained. "But everything feels good. We’re doing all of the strengthening in all of the right places. It’s the best I’ve truly felt in so long, I didn’t realize last year how limited I was from swinging. I really do feel great right now." He feels so great that he's not interested in talk he should be happy just easing himself back into competition. This despite the fact he first started full swings again just 10 days ago. "Winning (is the goal). I know physically I’ll be able to walk four rounds and have no issue with it," he said bluntly. "From there, it’s just go out and win."
Horses for Courses: THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEKHorses for Courses: THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK
The second leg of the Las Vegas exacta takes the TOUR north of downtown to Shadow Creek Club in North Las Vegas. A select field of 78 will make the minutes journey across town this season instead of taking a flight to Jeju Island, South Korea. Usual host Club at Nine Bridges will pass the baton to Shadow Creek this season as the show must go on. RELATED: Power Rankings | Five things to know about Shadow Creek Shadow Creek Club was designed and redesigned by Tom Fazio (1989, 2008) and his group at the behest of casino owner Steve Wynn. The desert property was built from scratch. The desert land was transformed into a parkland oasis with water features, imported trees and lush, green conditions. Over-seeded Bermuda will be lush and green for television and the rough will play around 3.5 inches and up. The bentgrass greens should roll perfectly around 12 feet on the Stimpmeter but will not be the large targets enjoyed last week. This week the greens only average 5,500 square feet so accuracy on approach will be awarded. Water will feature on nine holes and 74 pristine bunkers are scattered throughout the 7,527 yards (Par-72). Dustin Johnson holds the course record, 66, after the 2008 renovation, so that suggests Par will be a decent score this week. The last time that most gamers saw the course was The Match: Tiger vs. Phil on Thanksgiving weekend 2018. Both are not entered this week. With a limited field, unknown (to most) track and no cut after 36 holes, the premium players will reinforce their class, again. The last track on TOUR that was “new” to most of the players was Olympia Fields for the BMW Championship followed by Winged Foot for the U.S. Open. You’ll find some clues there as well. Remember Fazio has also been involved in the design upkeep at Augusta National, Quail Hollow Club and Eagle Point if you’re digging deeper. Massive prize pool this week as the winner takes home $1.755 million and 500 FedExCup points for their efforts. Event Winners at Nine Bridges Club, Jeju Island (runner up, if entered) 2020: Justin Thomas 2019: Brooks Koepka (Gary Woodland) 2018: Justin Thomas (Marc Leishman, playoff) Key stat leaders Top golfers in each statistic on the 2019-2020 PGA TOUR are listed only if they are scheduled to compete this week. Players in BOLD below deserve deeper inspection. Strokes-Gained: Tee to Green 1 Justin Thomas 2 Hideki Matsuyama 3 Jon Rahm 4 Sergio Garcia 5 Collin Morikawa 6 Rory McIlroy 7 Xander Schauffele 9 Dustin Johnson 10 Scottie Scheffler 11 Tony Finau 12 Patrick Cantlay 13 Tyrrell Hatton 14 Russell Henley 15 Daniel Berger 18 Harris English 20 Viktor Hovland 21 Paul Casey 23 Joaquin Niemann Strokes-Gained: Putting 2 Matthew Fitzpatrick 5 Kevin Na 6 Ian Poulter 6 Matt Kuchar 8 Mackenzie Hughes 15 Kevin Kisner 17 Daniel Berger 18 Harris English 20 Brendon Todd 22 Jon Rahm 26 Tommy Fleetwood Bogey Avoidance 2 Jon Rahm 3 Harris English 4 Xander Schauffele 5 Russell Henley 8 Justin Thomas (Won PGA Quail Hollow) 10 Daniel Berger 12 Abraham Ancer 17 Brian Harman (Won Wells Fargo Eagle Point) 18 Paul Casey 19 Tyrrell Hatton 21 Hideki Matsuyama 23 Brendon Todd Top 25 Shriners (entered this week) 2 Matthew Wolff 4 Abraham Ancer 8 Patrick Cantlay 8 Si Woo Kim 13 Sungjae Im 13 Joaquin Niemann 13 Brian Harman 19 Louis Oosthuizen 24 Cameron Smith Top Finishers BMW Championship Wentworth (entered this week) 1 Tyrell Hatton 5 Ian Poulter 7 Matthew Fitzpatrick 13 Tommy Fleetwood 13 Shane Lowry 37 Justin Rose
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PGA TOUR Statement on Dustin Johnson PGA TOUR member Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK after testing positive for COVID-19. Experiencing symptoms, Johnson notified PGA TOUR officials and was administered a test, with the positive result forcing his withdrawal from the event. Johnson, who last competed at the U.S. Open, will have the PGA TOUR's full support throughout his self-isolation period under CDC guidelines. "Obviously, I am very disappointed," said Johnson. "I was really looking forward to competing this week, but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible. I have already had a few calls with the TOUR's medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me." First alternate J.T. Poston will replace Johnson in the field.
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