A6 | Tuesday, April 16, 2019 | Peninsula Clarion
Sports
How many more majors can Woods win? By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
AUGUSTA, Ga. — No comeback by Tiger Woods was ever going to be complete without a major. Now the question becomes how many more he can win. So much appeal of that red shirt beneath a green jacket involved looking back at all Woods had to overcome to reach that moment — a Masters champion once again — that so many thought would never happen. The fourth surgery to rebuild his left knee. The private affairs that became public, shattering his image. The balky back that required four more surgeries, the last one out of desperation because he could barely walk, much less play golf. And a new generation of stars he inspired who were younger, stronger and capable. That’s why Woods celebrated his 15th major like never before — fist pumps without a club in his hand, because he couldn’t help himself walking off the 18th green. “Overwhelming,” he said with
a voice still hoarse from all that screaming. He went 28 majors over 11 years without winning, and no sooner did he stretch his arms into that familiar green jacket — “Ah, it fits,” he said in Butler Cabin — was he asked about the 18 majors Jack Nicklaus won to set the gold standard in golf. “I don’t know if he’s worried or not,” Woods said. “I’m sure he’s home just chilling and watching.” Whether the record is in play, Nicklaus can expect plenty of questions. For years, he could rarely get through any conversation without someone asking him whether he thought Woods could top his mark. “I thought for a long time that he was going to win again,” Nicklaus said Sunday night on Golf Channel. “The next two majors are at Bethpage, where he has won, and at Pebble Beach, where he has won. So, he has got me shaking in my boots, guys.” The last part was delivered in jest. The first part was factual. Woods winning his fifth Masters was not entirely out of the
blue. He capped the year of his great comeback last year by winning the Tour Championship in typical Tiger fashion, by building a lead on a tough, fast course at East Lake and not giving anyone much of a chance to catch him. He also briefly led Sunday in the British Open, and was one shot behind on the back nine at the PGA Championship. “The win at East Lake was a big confidence booster for me because I had come close last year a couple times,” Woods said. “Still have to get it across the finish line, and I didn’t quite do it.” So, imagine the effect of winning the Masters, especially the way this one played out. Six players had at least a share of the lead at one point on the back nine — four of them major champions — and there was a five-way tie for the lead when the final group was in the 15th fairway. It was anyone’s game until Francesco Molinari, who earlier hit 8-iron in Rae’s Creek on the 12th hole for double bogey, hit a wedge off a tree limb and into the water on the par-5 15th that led to double bogey.
76ers even series PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Simmons got an earful from the Philly crowd. With the same 76ers fans Simmons put on blast for booing in the playoff opener now going wild in Game 2, Simmons cupped a hand to his right ear just like Allen Iverson’s signature move to spur the cheers even louder. And he did it with Iverson rooting on the Sixers from courtside. Simmons had 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers had an answer for the pesky Brooklyn Nets in a 145-123 win to even their Eastern Conference playoff series Monday night. Simmons had a disastrous Game 1 , on the court (nine points) and from a PR perspective after he criticized fans for booing during a game the Sixers were never really in. He backtracked the next day at practice and never gave another 20,591
fans a chance to do anything but roar in approval in Game 2. Simmons flashed the AllStar form that helped lead the Sixers to 51 wins, and was aggressive from tipoff. He used his size and speed to attack the lane and scored 16 points in the half — and then put the game away in the third. The Sixers busted the game open with a 14-0 run to start the second half and then stretched the lead to 20 on a Simmons steal and fastbreak basket. With a packed house standing, Simmons got a massive ovation when he cupped his hand to his right ear just like Iverson did in his prime. Iverson and former Sixers teammate Dikembe Mutombo attended the game and tossed T-shirts into the crowd. Had Mutombo played in this one, the Nets surely would have received one of his signature finger wags. The Nets collapsed in the
Hachimura turns pro SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Gonzaga star forward Rui Hachimura has declared for the NBA draft. The junior said Monday he will hire an agent as he pursues a professional career. The 6-foot-8 native of Japan led Gonzaga in scoring this season with 19.7 points per game while shooting 59% from the field.
On Tap Peninsula high school sports Tuesday Soccer Homer girls at Kenai, 6 p.m. Kenai boys at Homer, 6 p.m. Nikiski girls at Soldotna, 4 p.m. Nikiski boys at Soldotna, 6 p.m. Thursday Soccer Homer girls at Ketchikan, TBA Homer boys at Ketchikan, TBA Soldotna girls at Houston, 4 p.m. Soldotna boys at Houston, 6 p.m. Nikiski girls at Palmer, 5 p.m. Nikiski boys at Palmer, 7 p.m. Friday Soccer Homer girls at Juneau, TBA Homer boys at Juneau, TBA Soldotna girls at Grace, 5 p.m. Soldotna boys at Grace, 7 p.m. Nikiski girls at Houston, 4 p.m. Nikiski boys at Houston, 6 p.m. Seward girls at Redington, 4 p.m. Seward boys at Redington, 6 p.m. Track Homer, Kenai, Soldotna, Nikiski at Colony Invite, noon field events, 1 p.m. running events Saturday Soccer Homer girls at Thunder Mountain, TBA Homer boys at Thunder Mountain, TBA Kenai boys at Grace, 2 p.m. Kenai girls at Grace, noon Nikiski girls at Redington, noon Nikiski boys at Redington, 2 p.m. Seward girls at Houston, 9 a.m. Seward boys at Houston, 11 a.m. Track Homer, Kenai, Soldotna, Nikiski at Colony Invite, noon field events, 1 p.m. running events Monday Soccer Soldotna boys at Kenai, 6 p.m. Soldotna girls at Kenai, 4 p.m.
second half, outplayed and overmatched much as expected by pundits and bookmakers (they were 7.5-point Game 2 underdogs). “We expect a haymaker,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said before the game. “We know it’s coming. They’re too good, too talented. too well coached. It’s coming. It’s going to be how we react.” Not well. Joel Embiid shook off another game-time decision to play through tendinitis in his left knee and delivered after a sluggish Game 1. Embiid scored 13 points in the third as the Sixers raced to a 29-point lead. On a minutes restriction, Embiid had some unexpected help from popular backup Boban Marjanovic. He scored 14 points in the first half (only Simmons had more with 16) and let the Sixers find a comfort level on offense with Embiid out for long stretches.
And then it became Woods’ game — a two-putt birdie to take the lead, an 8-iron that rolled down the slope next to the hole for a signature moment at this Masters. “Well, I can win majors now,” Woods said with a laugh. The PGA Championship is a month away at Bethpage Black, where Woods was dominant as ever in going wire-to-wire in the 2002 U.S. Open, and was right there with a chance in the 2009 U.S. Open except for a putter that refused to cooperate. And then it’s the U.S. Open in June at Pebble Beach. If the Masters is the most memorable of his 15 majors, Pebble Beach remains his greatest performance. Woods won there in 2000 by a record 15 shots, even with a triple bogey in the third round. Ten years later, he tied for fourth at the U.S. Open at Pebble, three shots behind. The courses are familiar. Woods is familiar with winning majors. But it’s not that simple. Woods was 24 when he won the U.S. Open at Pebble, and 26 when we won at Bethpage Black. Now he’s 43. As dynamic as this Masters was
for Woods, it was hard work and he needed help — from Molinari on the 12th and 15th holes, from a couple of good bounces out of the trees. That’s not unusual. Every major champion needs a break or two. Getting to 18 is only easier because Woods is one major closer, a conversation caddie Joe LaCava said they have shared. “We’re on 14 and I said, ‘Let’s get to 15.’ You can’t be on 14 and thinking about 18,” LaCava said. “But now we can start talking about 16. So we’re getting closer.” Nicklaus can only watch and admire, which he has done all along. And part of him is cheering. “I don’t ever pull against anybody,” Nicklaus said. “Nobody wants their record to be broken. But I certainly wouldn’t want Tiger to be hurt and not to be able to do it. Of course, he is now pretty healthy and playing well. I wish him well, I always wish the guys well and I want them to play their best.” That’s what Nicklaus saw at Augusta National. And that’s probably what everyone will expect from Woods the rest of the year.
Healthy Luck ready to go INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Andrew Luck tossed around more dance moves than footballs this offseason. He loved every minute of it. So when the star quarterback returned to the Indianapolis Colts complex Monday, he was rested, recharged and ready to start offseason workouts. “I finally got a chance to get away,” Luck said after the initial welcome back team meeting. “I talked to (general manager) Chris (Ballard) about that a little bit. He sort of challenged me to turn my mind off. It took a while, but I did get away. I feel refreshed. It was a very nice offseason.” At least it was different. Luck didn’t throw in either of the two previous offseasons, but not by choice. Instead, he followed doctor’s orders while recovering from
surgery on his throwing shoulder. This time, Luck opted for a well-deserved break after perhaps the best season of his pro career. Plus, Luck had other plans. After dating Stanford gymnast Nicole Pechanec for nearly a decade, the couple finally got married last month in the Czech Republic. “Not much has changed besides a ring on the finger and she’s got great insurance now,” Luck cracked. “It’s awesome. It was the best day of my life and probably the best offseason I ever had.” Luck also had fun shooting a commercial for sports drink company Body Armor. The addition of baseball star Mike Trout helped convince Luck to take a chance. Dressed in 1970s disco garb, Luck and Trout cut it up on the dance floor
— stirring up a conversation about Luck’s groovy moves. He even heard from Stanford coach David Shaw, who emailed that his children rewound the commercial multiple times when they first saw it. “My initial reaction to just about everything is no,” Luck said. “Then I thought about it and talked to my agent. He said Mike Trout was interested and I admire him very much. Then thought about it and - why not? I think I feel much more comfortable making fun of myself than trying to be cool.” He wasn’t the only Colts player to try his hand at performing. All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson posted a video on Instagram of himself, bare-chested, mimicking the moves from a Cardi B video. The rapper and fans weren’t the only ones who were watching.
Scoreboard Baseball AL Standings
East Division W L Pct Tampa Bay 12 4 .750 Baltimore 7 10 .412 New York 6 9 .400 Boston 6 11 .353 Toronto 5 11 .313 Central Division W L Pct GB Minnesota 8 4 .667 Cleveland 8 7 .533 Detroit 8 7 .533 Chicago 5 9 .357 Kansas City 5 10 .333 West Division W L Pct GB Seattle 13 5 .722 Houston 11 5 .688 Los Angeles 8 7 .533 Oakland 10 9 .526 Texas 7 7 .500
GB — 5½ 5½ 6½ 7 — 1½ 1½ 4 4½ — 1 3½ 3½ 4
Monday’s Games Baltimore 8, Boston 1 Toronto at Minnesota, late L.A. Angels at Texas, late Kansas City at Chicago White Sox, late Cleveland at Seattle, late Tuesday’s Games Boston (Sale 0-3) at N.Y. Yankees (Paxton 1-2), 2:35 p.m. Pittsburgh (Musgrove 1-1) at Detroit (Boyd 1-1), 2:40 p.m. Baltimore (Bundy 0-1) at Tampa Bay (Glasnow 3-0), 3:10 p.m. Toronto (Sanchez 1-1) at Minnesota (Gibson 0-0), 3:40 p.m. L.A. Angels (Harvey 0-1) at Texas (Minor 1-1), 4:05 p.m. Kansas City (Lopez 0-1) at Chicago White Sox (Lopez 0-2), 4:10 p.m. Houston (McHugh 2-1) at Oakland (Montas 2-1), 6:07 p.m. Cleveland (Bieber 1-0) at Seattle (Leake 2-0), 6:10 p.m. All Times ADT
NL Standings
East Division W L Pct GB Philadelphia 9 5 .643 — Atlanta 9 6 .600 ½ New York 9 6 .600 ½ Washington 7 7 .500 2 Miami 4 12 .250 6 Central Division Milwaukee 10 6 .625 — St. Louis 9 6 .600 ½ Pittsburgh 8 6 .571 1 Chicago 5 9 .357 4 Cincinnati 5 9 .357 4 West Division San Diego 11 6 .647 — Los Angeles 9 8 .529 2
Arizona 7 9 .438 3½ San Francisco 7 10 .412 4 Colorado 4 12 .250 6½
Nashville at Dallas, 4 p.m. Calgary at Colorado, 6 p.m. All Times ADT
Monday’s Games N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia, late Chicago Cubs at Miami, late St. Louis at Milwaukee, late Cincinnati at L.A. Dodgers, late Colorado at San Diego, late Tuesday’s Games Pittsburgh (Lyles 1-0) at Detroit (Boyd 1-1), 2:40 p.m. N.Y. Mets (Matz 1-0) at Philadelphia (Pivetta 1-1), 3:05 p.m. San Francisco (Rodriguez 1-2) at Washington (Strasburg 1-0), 3:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Quintana 1-1) at Miami (Lopez 1-2), 3:10 p.m. Arizona (Ray 0-1) at Atlanta (Fried 2-0), 3:20 p.m. St. Louis (Flaherty 1-0) at Milwaukee (Woodruff 1-1), 3:40 p.m. Colorado (Gray 0-3) at San Diego (Margevicius 1-1), 5:10 p.m. Cincinnati (Mahle 0-0) at L.A. Dodgers (Maeda 2-1), 6:10 p.m. All Times ADT
Basketball
Hockey NHL Playoffs FIRST ROUND (Best-of-7; x-if necessary) Saturday, April 13 Washington 4, Carolina 3, OT Nashville 2, Dallas 1, OT, series tied 1-1 Boston 4, Toronto 1 Colorado 3, Calgary 2, OT, series tied 1-1 Sunday, April 14 N.Y. Islanders 4, Pittsburgh 1, Islanders lead series 3-0 Columbus 3, Tampa Bay 1, Columbus leads series 3-0 Winnipeg 6, St. Louis 3, St. Louis leads series 2-1 Vegas 6, San Jose 3, Vegas leads series 2-1 Monday, April 15 Toronto 3, Boston 2, Toronto leads series 2-1 Carolina 5, Washington 0, Washington leads series 2-1 Nashville at Dallas, late Calgary at Colorado, late Tuesday, April 16 Tampa Bay at Columbus, 3 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m. Winnipeg at St. Louis, 5:30 p.m. San Jose at Vegas, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 Boston at Toronto, 3 p.m.
NBA Playoffs FIRST ROUND (Best-of-7; x-if necessary) Saturday, April 13 Brooklyn 111, Philadelphia 102 Orlando 104, Toronto 101, Orlando leads series 1-0 Golden State 121, L.A. Clippers 104, Golden State leads series 1-0 San Antonio 101, Denver 96, San Antonio leads series 1-0 Sunday, April 14 Boston 84, Indiana 74, Boston leads series 1-0 Portland 104, Oklahoma City 99, Portland leads series 1-0 Milwaukee 121, Detroit 86, Milwaukee leads series 1-0 Houston 122, Utah 90, Houston leads series 1-0 Monday, April 15 Philadelphia 145, Brooklyn 123, series tied 1-1 L.A. Clippers at Golden State, late Tuesday, April 16 Orlando at Toronto, 4 p.m. San Antonio at Denver, 5 p.m. Oklahoma City at Portland, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 Indiana at Boston, 3 p.m. Detroit at Milwaukee, 4 p.m. Utah at Houston, 5:30 p.m. All Times ADT
Transactions BASEBALL American League BOSTON RED SOX — Optioned RHP Marcus Walden to Pawtucket (IL). CLEVELAND INDIANS — Sent SS Francisco Lindor to Columbus (IL) for a rehab assignment. Activated 2B Jason Kipnis from the 10-day IL. Designated INF Brad Miller. LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Placed LHP Tyler Skaggs on 10-day IL, retroactive to April 13. Optioned 3B Taylor Ward to Salt Lake (PCL). Recalled RHPs Jaime Barria and John Curtiss from Salt Lake. MINNESOTA TWINS — Sent RHP Matt Magill to Rochester (IL) for a rehab assignment.
SEATTLE MARINERS — Placed LHP Wade LeBlanc on the 10-day IL. Recalled RHP Erik Swanson from Tacoma (PCL). Traded C David Freitas to Milwaukee for RHP Sal Biasi. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Optioned INF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to Buffalo (IL). Selected the contract and INF Eric Sogard. Transferred LHP Ryan Borucki to the 60-day IL. National League COLORADO ROCKIES — Selected the contract of C Drew Butera from Albuquerque (PCL). Recalled OF Noel Cuevas from Albuquerque. Reinstated RHP Antonio Senzatela from the 10day IL. Optioned RHP Yency Almonte and OF Yonathan Daza to Albuquerque. Placed C Chris Iannetta on the 10-day IL. LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Activated LHP Clayton Kershaw from the 10-day IL. Optioned RHP Jaime Schultz to Oklahoma City (PCL). NEW YORK METS — Recalled RHP Drew Gagnon from Syracuse (IL). Optioned INF Luis Guillorme to Syracuse. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Placed RHP David Robertson on the 10-day IL. Recalled RHP Drew Anderson from Lehigh Valley (IL). BASKETBALL National Basketball Association SACRAMENTO KINGS — Named Luke Walton coach. FOOTBALL National Football League CAROLINA PANTHERS — Resigned DT Kyle Love to a oneyear contract. CHICAGO BEARS — Signed LB Isaiah Irving and DE Roy Robertson-Harris. GREEN BAY PACKERS — Claimed K Sam Ficken off waivers from Seattle. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed WRs Marcus Johnson and Chester Rogers and S Matthias Farley. LOS ANGELES RAMS — Resigned S Blake Countess, DE Morgan Fox, DBs Dominique Hatfield and Kevin Peterson and WRs KhaDarel Hodge and JoJo Natson. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed S Anthony Harris, OT Rashod Hill, QB Sean Mannion and WR Jordan Taylor. NEW YORK GIANTS — Resigned WR Russell Shepard.
OAKLAND RAIDERS — Resigned WR Mitchell Ateman, K Daniel Carlson and OT Justin Murray. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Reinstated DL Cedric Thornton from the reserve/retired list. Signed DB Greg Mabin. HOCKEY National Hockey League NHL — Suspended Toronto F Nazem Kadri for the remainder of the first round for cross-checking Boston F Jake DeBrusk in the head. BUFFALO SABRES — Signed D Jacob Bryson to a three-year entry level contract. DETROIT RED WINGS — Agreed to terms with G Filip Larsson on a three-year, entry-level contract. NEW YORK RANGERS — Fired Hartford (AHL) coach Keith McCambridge. Declined to exercise the 2019-20 contract option on Hartford assistant coach Joe Mormina. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS — Named Alain Vigneault coach. American Hockey League AHL — Suspended Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton F Patrick McGrath three games for an illegal check to the head of opponent in an April 13 game against Bridgeport. GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS — Signed F Jarid Lukosevicius to an amateur tryout for the remainder of this season along with a twoyear contract through the 2020-21 season. COLLEGE DUKE — Freshman F Zion Williamson declared for the NBA draft. GONZAGA — Junior F Rui Hachimura declared for the NBA draft. HOFSTRA — Named Liz Kobak assistant men’s and women’s tennis coach. LOUISVILLE — Announced freshmen women’s basketball G Elizabeth Balogun and F Elizabeth Dixon are transferring from Georgia Tech and sophomore F Kianna Smith is transferring from California. TEMPLE — Named Jason Ivey director of player development for men’s basketball. TENNESSEE — Named Jon Harper and Jennifer Sullivan women’s assistant basketball coaches. VIRGINIA — Junior G Ty Jerome and sophomore G De’Andre Hunter have declared for the NBA draft.