Masters leaderboard: Final round underway

Click here to read the full article…

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Tiger Woods never recovered from a quadruple bogey on the iconic Island Green on Friday at TPC Sawgrass, but the 80-time PGA TOUR winner left THE PLAYERS Championship full of optimism. Woods came into the week following a neck injury that kept him out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, but the 43-year-old closed with his best round of the championship on Sunday. His 3-under 69 left him at 6 under for the week, well off the pace, but still looking ahead with a positive mindset as he gears up to play the World Golf Championships–Dell Technologies Match Play for the first time since 2013. “I was close to getting over the hurdle and getting things rolling, and unfortunately I made a seven over at 17 (on Friday). I missed a few putts that I could have very easily got the momentum going that could have gotten me on a run,â€� Woods said. At the time, Woods had in fact entered the top 10 and was just two off the lead. Two balls in the water ended his charge as a serious threat. “I was close. I know that the score doesn’t really indicate that, but this is one of the golf courses … there’s some weird spots here … this is probably the most stressful golf course you ever play when there’s wind out here,â€� Woods added. “I felt like I was playing well. My score didn’t really indicate that going into the final day, but I was hitting the golf ball well and I’m frustrated at lipping more putts out than I think I have in a very long time. Just one of those weeks where just nothing really got rolling enough to get me going.â€� Woods’ putting may not have been to his full liking, but it was a serious improvement after his previous two efforts. The two-time FedExCup champion had six three-putts in both the Genesis Open and the World Golf Championships–Mexico Championship prompting him to bring in putting coach Matt Killen. He ended the week in the positive when it came to Strokes Gained: Putting. Woods also found himself near the top of the field in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee. “I’m excited the way I drove it. I drove the ball well this week,â€� Woods enthused after hitting 12 of 14 fairways on Sunday. “I drove it not quite as long on the weekend with a little bit cooler temperatures, but I was driving it pretty straight and I was able to shape the golf ball both ways with all three of my woods, which was good to see.â€� As for his neck – and fused lower back – Woods said there were no issues coming out of TPC Sawgrass. And he has no concern with the prospect of having to play seven rounds at Austin Country Club should he be in contention to win the WGC–Dell Technologies Match Play for a fourth time. “I’m hoping that I can play all the matches. That would be great,â€� Woods said. “I’m guaranteed to play three instead of when I played it was only one guaranteed, so that’s kind of nice knowing that I’ll be able to get at least three good rounds in, possibly more if I play well, and that’s basically like a tournament.â€�

Click here to read the full article…

For Cameron Champ, if it felt personal, it's because it was. After all, it was a place where he'd been going for as long as he could remember. There were photos of him up as a 10-year-old there. Someplace where an hour, sometimes two, could pass by just like that. It was home. So, when Champ, the Cameron Champ Foundation, and his partners at SAP made the decision to support Black-owned small businesses as part of a new initiative, who got the first call was an easy decision - it'd be to Chris Cannon, owner of Prostyle Barber Shop, in Champ's hometown of Sacramento, California. "During Black History Month this year, I wanted to do something a little different," Champ said. "For me, with the COVID situation, it's really hurting the small business owners all around the nation. ...I'm excited to be able to do it, especially with the first one hitting home to me." During each week of the month of February, in collaboration with the SAP Spotlight Black Businesses program, the two-time PGA TOUR winner will be supporting a select Black-owned small business by displaying their logo on his golf bag and golf ball, and bringing awareness to their business via his social media channels. SAP and SRS Distribution have given up their logo space on Champ's golf bag to help amplify these small businesses, and Srixon and PING have contributed the custom golf balls and golf bags. Additionally, for each tournament that Champ, 25, betters his 320-yard driving distance average during the month, SAP and the Cameron Champ Foundation will make a $10,000 donation to that week's featured business. The first to receive a $10,000 donation, you ask? Chris Cannon, of course. "Cameron and SAP's Spotlight Black Business initiative has been a blessing to me and Prostyle," Cannon said. "The hard work I've put into my business went unnoticed for a long time, but the initiative has shined a new light on me and my small business. "The pandemic almost closed our doors for good. The recognition and donation gave a well needed boost to the shop. It got the word out that we're open and ready for work." Three of Champ's four selections have been shared publicly thus far, each with a nod to his California roots. RÊVE Bistro in Lafayette, California - about an hour outside Champ's hometown - followed Prostyle Barber Shop. At The Genesis Invitational this week, the former Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption recipient - since 2009, awarded by the tournament to a golfer representing a minority background and honoring the memory of Charlie Sifford, the first African American to compete on the modern-day PGA TOUR - went with the local flavor, choosing Jackfruit Café in Los Angeles. "This last year has been one of immense challenges for us personally and as restaurant owners," said Paul Magu-Lecugy, owner of RÊVE Bistro. "Keeping a positive attitude for our family, our guests, and our team as well as finding ways we could give back regardless of what we are dealing with has been the highest priority for us and kept us going. To be chosen by Cameron Champ...is humbling and such a huge blessing." For Champ, the blessings will continue on for another week. His impact on the racial equity and inclusion conversation, however, will last long beyond. "I'm super excited to be able to do this," Champ said, "just to show the support and love." To learn more about the Cameron Champ Foundation and its collaboration with the SAP Spotlight Black Businesses program, please click here.

Click here to read the full article…