Late birdies help Rahm seize Memorial lead

Several forest fires broke out across Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday morning forcing the evacuation of Silverado Resort and Spa just hours after the completion of the PGA TOUR’s season-opening Safeway Open. Powerful winds fanned the potent flames, causing untold damage to homes and businesses in the area with thousands evacuated, including some TOUR players in the early hours of the morning. The National Weather Service said the blazes were fanned by dry, northeast winds that gusted up to 50 mph in the valleys and 70 mph on mountaintops. One of the many fires breaking out was near Atlas Peak Road – and it blackened hundreds of acres in a famed wine-growing area northeast of the city of Napa and the Silverado Trail. With the flames approaching the golf course and resort, guests were swiftly evacuated. A handful of TOUR players caught up in the blaze tweeted about their experience. Kyle Thompson confirmed he fled in a rush, with no time to gather up belongings, calling the fire “really scary stuff�. “The whole ridge line above the course was on fire with winds pushing toward course,� Thompson tweeted. “We got out of there without packing a single thing.� “I’ve never run from a wild fire before,� Patton Kizzire said. Stanford graduate Maverick McNealy – who had played the Safeway Open as his first professional start – praised emergency services for their role in the evacuation. “Woken up by @Napa_City_Fire and evacuated tonight. First responders and emergency personnel are amazing. #napafire�, he tweeted. Authorities are still trying to contain fires all over the area as the damage continues to mount. 

Click here to read the full article…

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy said he was surprised by the state of his game, especially because he only returned in Abu Dhabi following a three-month break. The 2016 FedExCup champion and four-time major winner was among five players at 65. “I didn’t expect to play as well as I did last week and it’s been nice to continue that into this week,” said McIlroy, who finished tied for third in Abu Dhabi. “I’m ahead of schedule right now.” Defending champion Sergio Garcia opened with a 5-under 67. Jamie Donaldson, however, flirted with the European Tour’s first-ever 59 before settling for a 10-under 62 Thursday in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic. In perfect scoring conditions at the Emirates Golf Club, the 42-year-old Donaldson took a one-shot lead over Anthony Wall and David Horsey. Donaldson, a former European Ryder Cup player now ranked 292nd, started on the 10th hole and made four birdies and an eagle to make the turn at 6 under. He then birdied the second before picking up four shots in a row from the fourth. He went close to chipping in for another birdie on the 17th but missed his up-and-down for par from the rough at the ninth. “You can never be disappointed with 10-under, can you?” said the Welshman, who missed the cut in Abu Dhabi last week. “I knew what was on the cards out there and I think I had five holes to go when I started thinking about 59.”

Click here to read the full article…

null

Click here to read the full article…