Core of present, future U.S. teams taking shape

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PGA TOUR officials plan to continue play at THE NORTHERN TRUST on Saturday at Liberty National in New Jersey but they are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Henri in relation to Sunday’s scheduled final round. With the National Hurricane Center issuing a hurricane watch for the Northeast United States on Friday morning, TOUR officials will have contingency plans in place for the completion of the opening FedExCup Playoff event. “Strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Henri is expected to become a hurricane by Saturday and be at or near hurricane strength when it makes landfall in southern New England,” the NHC said in a statement. The TOUR said a Monday finish is an option with the current forecasts. “We are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Henri and its potential impacts on THE NORTHERN TRUST. There is no impact from the storm on Saturday’s forecast, and therefore play will be as scheduled in twosomes from the 1st tee with a 6 p.m. scheduled local finish time,” the PGA TOUR said via statement. “We will evaluate the track of Henri throughout the day tomorrow and expect to issue the plan and schedule for the final round by late afternoon Saturday. Henri is not currently predicted to have any effect on the forecast for Monday. Depending on the forecasted track of the storm, it is possible that the final round may be rescheduled for Monday.”

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Tiger Woods, an eight-time winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, has withdrawn from this week’s event at Bay Hill Club and Lodge with a neck strain. Woods announced on his Twitter account on Monday he would be unable to take his place in the field after treatment failed to fix the ailment in time. The 80-time PGA TOUR winner said his fused lower back is fine and he is hopeful of playing next week in THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass where he is a two-time champion. “Unfortunately due to a neck strain that I’ve had for a few weeks, I’m forced to withdraw from the API,â€� Woods tweeted. “I’ve been receiving treatment, but it hasn’t improved enough to play. My lower back is fine, and I have no long-term concerns, and I hope to be ready for THE PLAYERS. “I’d like to send my regrets to the Palmer family and the Orlando fans. Its connection to Arnold makes it one of my favorite tournaments and I’m disappointed to miss it.â€� Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013. Last season while in the early stages of his comeback from back fusion surgery Woods made a Sunday charge at Bay Hill only to send his tee ball on the 16th hole out of bounds. He settled for a T5 finish. Woods has finished inside the top 20 in his three starts this season, his latest a T10 at the World Golf Championships–Mexico Championship. The two-time FedExCup champion is currently 105th in the FedExCup.

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