DJ or Koepka: Our experts go big with their U.S. Open predictions

OPELIKA, Ala. — Martin Flores, Cameron Tringale and Zac Blair shared the Barbasol Championship lead at 6-under 65 on Thursday when first-round play was suspended because of darkness. Flores and Tringale played in morning at Grand National’s Lake Course, and Blair finished his afternoon round after a rain delay of nearly two hours. Robert Allenby, Chad Campbell, Rory Sabbatini and Tag Ridings shot 66, and Richy Werenski also was 5 under with two holes left. Steven Alker was 6 under after eight holes, then bogeyed two of the next five. He was 4 under with five holes to play. Jim Furyk opened with a 69. The 47-year-old U.S. Ryder Cup captain is playing the event after failing to qualify for the British Open. Davis Love III, at 53 the oldest player in the field, had a 72 — a stroke better than son Dru Love in their third tournament together.

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Tiger Woods, an eight-time winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, has withdrawn from this week’s event at Bay Hill Club and Lodge with a neck strain.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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