Run in back: Lakers could get even betterRun in back: Lakers could get even better
With both LeBron James and Anthony Davis re-signed and plenty of depth around them, L.A. should be a title contender for years to come.
Day: December 4, 2020
Golden Gate Fields to extend racing suspension until Dec. 26Golden Gate Fields to extend racing suspension until Dec. 26
ALBANY, Calif. (AP) — Golden Gate Fields has extended is suspension of live horse racing until Dec. 26, when its winter meet is scheduled to begin.
Cut prediction: Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFINCut prediction: Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN
2021 Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN, Round 1 Scoring Conditions: Overall: +0.43 strokes per round Morning wave: +0.64 Afternoon wave: +0.23 Current cutline (top 65 and ties): 69 players at 0 or better (T56) Top 3 projected cutline probabilities: 1. Even: 40.6% 2. 1 under par: 31.0% 3. 1 over par: 17.4% Top 10 win probabilities: 1. Viktor Hovland (T5, -4, 9.7%) 2. Russell Knox (1, -6, 8.1%) 3. Joaquin Niemann (T2, -5, 7.8%) 4. Brendon Todd (T5, -4, 7.3%) 5. Emiliano Grillo (T2, -5, 6.4%) 6. Harris English (T20, -2, 5.2%) 7. Tony Finau (T5, -4, 5.2%) 8. Tom Hoge (T2, -5, 4.0%) 9. Daniel Berger (T20, -2, 4.0%) 10. Joel Dahmen (T13, -3, 3.6%) NOTE: These reports are based off the live predictive model run by @DataGolf. The model provides live "Make Cut", "Top 20", "Top 5", and "Win" probabilities every 5 minutes from the opening tee shot to the final putt of every PGA TOUR event. Briefly, the model takes account of the current form of each golfer as well as the difficulty of their remaining holes, and probabilities are calculated from 20K simulations. To follow live finish probabilities throughout the remainder of the Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN, or to see how each golfer's probabilities have evolved from the start of the event to the current time, click here for the model's home page.
Russell Knox takes first-round lead at Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFINRussell Knox takes first-round lead at Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — Russell Knox shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday at breezy and wet El Camaleon Golf Club to take the first-round lead in the PGA TOUR’s Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN. RELATED: Leaderboard | Niemann playing with extra motivation The 35-year-old Scot birdied five of the last six holes on his opening nine, then played the final nine in 1 under with a bogey on the par-4 second and birdies on the par-5 fifth and par-4 sixth. "Took me a few holes to kind of settle into my round, but when I did, I had six or seven very good holes," Knox said. "I hit the ball well, drove it in the fairway, and with lift, clean and place, I could be fairly aggressive. Par was good today." Chile's Joaquin Niemann was a stroke back with Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and American Tom Hoge. Niemann is donating his entire prize money and $5,000 for every birdie and $10,000 for an eagle to help pay for a drug for his 2-month-old relative in Chile. "I'm playing for Rafita, that is one of my cousins that was diagnosed a couple days ago with a really rare disease," the 22-year-old Niemann said. "All the guys here on tour are being really nice, using the little ribbons we're having to support Rafita. He's fighting now in Chile, so we've got to work our way to help him." Niemann also finished on the front nine, making birdies on Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 7. "It was tough," Niemann said. "It was hard to adjust myself into the wind early, but I'm really happy the way I played. Took me a couple holes to like figure it out a little bit with the wind. I'm really happy the way I played and the way I finished." Knox has two victories on the PGA TOUR. He lost in a playoff at Mayakoba in 2016. "I guess it's the tequila and tacos," Knox said. "Obviously, I love the course. It sets up well for me. I mean, historically, my driving accuracy and iron play's been my strength, so that's kind of the key things that this course brings out in you." He liked the wind better than the rain-softened turf. "I always kind of want it to be a little windy," Knox said. "I feel like I can flight my ball well at times. But it's so soft out here, it's the opposite of like links golf. No, I'm thrilled with that and look forward to trying again tomorrow." Carlos Ortiz, the Mexican star playing for the first time as a PGA TOUR winner, was two strokes back at 67. He won the Vivint Houston Open a week before the Masters and did not play at Sea Island. "When I made like a 60-footer for eagle on 5, I knew it was going to be a pretty good day," Ortiz said. "I was in control of my game. It's one of those where you hit a good drive, it kind of sits down in the fairway and you feel like you're going to get a flyer and it's going to come out soft, but I'm really happy the way I played." Defending champion Brendon Todd also was at 67 with Tony Finau, Viktor Hovland, Aaron Wise, Nate Lashley, Akshay Bhatia and Michael Gligic. Former U.S. Amateur champion Andy Ogletree, the low amateur at the Masters, had a 69 in his pro debut. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker also shot 69. Rickie Fowler had a wild round of 70 with eight birdies and quadruple and double bogeys. He played the final six holes in 4 under to get under par. "This has to be the lowest I've shot with a quad," Fowler said. "That doesn't happen a whole lot." Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka had a 71. Justin Thomas shot 72. At No. 3, he’s the only player from the top 10 in the world in the field.
Joaquin Niemann playing with ‘extra motivation’ to support young cousinJoaquin Niemann playing with ‘extra motivation’ to support young cousin
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico - For Joaquin Niemann's 1-month-old cousin, life could hinge on whether $2.1 million is raised within three months. A surreal but true statement. RELATED: Niemann’s generosity helps family facing long odds Niemann has committed his Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN paycheck in support of cousin Rafita Calderon, who has been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. The disease is treated by "the most expensive medicine ever," said Niemann - a drug called Zolgensma - which must be administered within the first 100 days of a baby's life to be most effective. This week, fellow pros are wearing ivory ribbons in support of Calderon, and Niemann is finding "special" inspiration in playing for a cause greater than himself. The 22-year-old Chilean opened the Mayakoba Golf Classic in 5-under 66, one off the lead in blustery Thursday conditions at El Camaleon GC. For Niemann, a high finish in Mexico would go a long way in bolstering his young cousin's fight. In his last start (The RSM Classic), he donated $152,450 - a combination of $5,000 per birdie, $10,000 per eagle, and his winner's check. Fellow pros, family and friends have also donated to a GoFundMe page organized by Niemann, titled ‘#SalvemosARafita - 100 days for Zolgensma.' The hashtag translates to ‘Let's Save Rafita.' "It's always extra motivation trying to play for him and get some more money for him," said Niemann after completing his final seven holes Thursday in 5-under. (The support) is big for me and for my family in Chile. Having all the support from all the people here on TOUR is really amazing, and also from Mexico. "The tournament, they're helping me a lot to tell a little bit more of the story of Rafita, and I'm happy for all the support of the players. We're fighting for him." Last week, Mexico's Carlos Ortiz played nine holes with Mayakoba Golf Classic organizers, leading to a pro-am fundraiser on the picturesque par-3 fourth at El Camaleon. An island green was created between the tee box and green, and the tournament raised more than $2,500 toward Niemann's fundraising efforts. This will supplement GoFundMe donations ($120,000 and counting) and Niemann's pledges via his play. Opening-round leader Russell Knox sported an ivory ribbon on Thursday, as did Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Sebastian Munoz, Marc Leishman and many more. Since Niemann joined the TOUR in 2018, he and Ortiz have developed a close friendship. Ortiz describes the youthful Niemann as "like a kid," and was more than happy to play a small role in facilitating support for Niemann's family. ‘He's always loving," Ortiz said. "I love hanging out with him and having a good time. "We're in a position ... if we can help, we should do it. I think (the tournament) is doing a great job, and we're going to try to do the same thing, the best we can to save this kid's life." Donations to #SalvemosARafita can be made here.