Bekker shares 1st-round lead at Catalunya ChampionshipBekker shares 1st-round lead at Catalunya Championship
Oliver Bekker shot a 6-under 66 to take a share of the first-round lead at the Catalunya Championship on Thursday.
Day: April 28, 2022
NHL playoff watch: The postseason seeds left to be determinedNHL playoff watch: The postseason seeds left to be determined
The field of 16 playoff teams is set. Here’s a full breakdown of the remaining races, and what we’re watching Thursday.
Minor leaguers’ petition seeks spring training payMinor leaguers’ petition seeks spring training pay
Minor league players are trying to get MLB to follow a court ruling that said their spring training time is work and should be paid as such.
Sources: Tiger plays at PGA Championship siteSources: Tiger plays at PGA Championship site
Tiger Woods, after finishing 47th in his return at the Masters, is playing a practice round at Southern Hills ahead of next month’s PGA Championship, sources confirmed to ESPN.
April 28 Kentucky Derby NotesApril 28 Kentucky Derby Notes
Thursday morning was slow for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses at Churchill Downs, with Taiba at Santa Anita the only timed work and there were no changes to the points list. Taiba went 6 furlongs in 1:12.60 and will arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday.
Source: Giants won’t exercise option on JonesSource: Giants won’t exercise option on Jones
The Giants have elected to decline the fifth-year option on quarterback Daniel Jones’ rookie contract, a source told ESPN’s Dianna Russini. It would have guaranteed the team’s starting quarterback $22.39 million next season.
OF Acuna, out since July, activated by BravesOF Acuna, out since July, activated by Braves
Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who suffered a torn ACL last July and sat out the rest of the season as the Braves won the World Series, has returned to the active roster.
Royals’ Mondesi has torn ACL, out indefinitelyRoyals’ Mondesi has torn ACL, out indefinitely
Speedy Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi will be out indefinitely after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee on an attempted pickoff play.
Jon Rahm returns to roots in opening 64 at Mexico Open at VidantaJon Rahm returns to roots in opening 64 at Mexico Open at Vidanta
VIDANTA VALLARTA, Mexico – Anytime Jon Rahm arrives in Mexico, he feels a trace of nostalgia. RELATED: Leaderboard | Why Jon Rahm uses weaker lofts than his PGA TOUR peers As an Arizona State junior, Rahm made his PGA TOUR debut at the 2014 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. He missed the cut, including a penalty in the second round for the “only time in my life where I made a practice swing chipping and the ball moved,” but looks back fondly on the week. He channeled the experience into his next TOUR start, finishing T5 at the WM Phoenix Open the following February. Fast forward seven-plus years, and Rahm is among the game’s elite. He’s a six-time TOUR winner, including the 2021 U.S. Open, and he stands No. 2 on the Official World Golf Ranking. Among the milestones eluding Rahm: a title in Mexico. He has been close, with two third-place showings at the WGC-Mexico Championship at Chapultepec. Rahm aims to change that. He has started strong at the Mexico Open at Vidanta, the event’s first appearance on the PGA TOUR schedule in a history dating back to 1944. Propelled by a chip-in birdie at the par-3 13th hole – his fourth of the day – and an eagle at the short par-4 seventh, Rahm opened in 7-under 64 at Vidanta Vallarta, matching the low score of the morning wave on a sun-kissed day on the western Mexican coast. Rahm was asked early in the week about how he game-plans for a new course, and he replied that “plan A is to hit driver everywhere.” With generally wide fairways, Vidanta Vallarta lends itself to aggressive play, matching Rahm’s ethos. “Really comfortable off the tee,” said Rahm after completing his opening round Thursday. “Not like it’s ever bad, but today felt especially comfortable. It’s not the most demanding course off the tee, besides 10 and maybe 1 … you’re not really in real danger of being in bad position, but even though it’s generous, when I’m hitting shots with the trajectory and the ball flight that I wanted, it just gives me more confidence for every other shot.” Rahm hasn’t missed a cut on TOUR since the Fortinet Championship in September, but he also hasn’t won on TOUR since the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines last June. He admitted this week that his game hasn’t been at its best, numbers-wise, but said he feels confident about his prospects for the coming months. Perhaps a return to the country of his first TOUR start will provide the proper boost for a return to the winner’s circle. With one round in the books at the Mexico Open, he’s on pace to do just that. “There’s no trick; you have to go out there and try to win,” Rahm said this week of advice he would give to players making their TOUR debut. “Don’t come trying to make the cut. If you’re playing, play to win. If not, don’t play. I think that is the mindset they should have. “If they’re invited, they’re probably good enough to be out here, so just believe what you can do and try to win.” This weekend, Rahm will aim to channel his own perspective.
Tiger Woods makes pre-PGA visit to Southern HillsTiger Woods makes pre-PGA visit to Southern Hills
Tiger Woods was at Southern Hills on Thursday, scouting out the site of the upcoming PGA Championship. Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis confirmed the news that was reported earlier in the day by the @TWLegion Twitter account. Lewis wrote that Woods played an 18-hole practice round, walking the course with Southern Hills’ head professional, Cary Cozby, on the bag. This visit came three days after the PGA Championship released its field with Woods included on the list. Videos posted to Twitter showed Woods playing Thursday’s practice round in a gray shirt and black shorts, a compression sleeve covering the right leg that was badly injured in last year’s accident. He also appeared to be wearing the FootJoy shoes that caused a stir at Augusta National. Woods has played two majors at the Tulsa, Oklahoma course. He won the 2007 PGA – the 13th of his 15 major triumphs – and finished T12 at the 2001 U.S. Open, his first major after completing the Tiger Slam at that year’s Masters. Woods’ PGA win included a record-tying 63 in the second round, after a brutal lip-out on his final hole denied him the first 62 in major history. Woods also played the 1996 TOUR Championship at Southern Hills, finishing 21st in the 30-man field. He qualified for the elite field by winning two of his first seven PGA TOUR starts as a pro. He struggled at the season finale, shooting a second-round 78 after his father was hospitalized with chest pains early that Friday morning. The course has undergone a dramatic Gil Hanse renovation since Woods last played there. Woods made his return to competitive golf at the Masters earlier this month, opening with an inspiring 71 in his first round since his single-car accident February 2021 before fading to a 47th-place finish. He described himself as “thankful” for the opportunity to compete again but could only commit to The Open at St. Andrews, saying his status for the next two majors was yet to be determined. The PGA Championship will be held May 19-22.