09122018 SPORTS

SPORTS SECTION E

MLB, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

Ferguson-McKenzie new assistant track and field coach

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

rom one Bahamian connection to another, head coach Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene has added illustrious ‘Golden Girl’ Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie as an assistant coach on his staff at the University of Kentucky.

Greene, who left Purdue University in July where he served as head coach and was joined by now head coach Norbert Elliott as his assistant, named FergusonMcKenzie during a press conference yesterday.

“I want to be one of the first to welcome coach Debbie

F

Ferguson-McKenzie to the University of Kentucky,” Greene said.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in this noble profession of ours. She will bridge the gap between coach Tim Hall and myself. I am excited for her to get started on our staff.”

While Greene made the transition from Purdue and the Big 10 Conference to Kentucky and the South Eastern Conference, Ferguson-McKenzie came over from the University of Houston and the American Athletic Conference where she served as an assistant under coach Leroy Burrell for the past four years to the SEC as well.

‘Golden girl’ Debbie joins head coach Rolando Greene at University of Kentucky

“I’m thankful to coach Lonnie Greene and the UK administration for giving me the opportunity to work with the Wildcats,” Ferguson-McKenzie said.

“Being able to work within the SEC is an honour and a privilege.

“I want to also thank Houston and every one I worked with there. Now I’m so honoured and excited to be with UK.” Since she became a member of the staff at Houston at the start of the 2014-2015 season,

Ferguson-McKenzie went on to coach some of the top competitors to success, including Tori Williams, Sierra Smith, Bria Carter and Bahamian Brianne Bethel, who competed along with her injured twin sister Brittni.

Before she ventured into coaching, Ferguson-McKenzie has excelled from the junior level at the regional CARIFTA Games to the Olympic Games where she

Sharks devour Truckers

PLAY ACTION: The youthful Platinum Lady Sharks last night steamrolled past the Johnson’s Lady Truckers 11-4 in six innings to force a fifth and deciding game in their New Providence Softball Association semi-final series.

SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 3 Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Brianna, 7, says she will be the next great Bahamian sprint sensation

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MOVE over Shaunae MillerUibo. Seven-year-old Brianna Bootle proclaims that she will become the next great Bahamian superstar as a track and field sprint sensation.

“Most people do not believe that I am an athlete, but I started running track when I was very young at the age of four with the 3PA Stallions Track Club,” Bootle said.

Over the past three years, Bootle has turned many heads and made a lot of believers out of the doubters with her impressive performances, not just here at home, but in Orlando, Florida where she has been stellar.

In 2016 in her first meet at the AAU Championships in Orlando, Bootle was able to run 16.84

seconds in the 100m as she went on to secure three primary school records in the 5-and-under age group.

Over the past two years, she returned to Orlando and has been able to hold her own in the 50m, 100m and 200m.

“I work hard training with both of my coaches, coach Rolle and coach Mike to make sure that I always do my best,” Bootle said.

“I enjoy running track and field because I am great at it.

“God has given me this talent and one day I hope to be as good as Shaunae Miller-Uibo or even better and to make my country proud,” she said.

Coach Cedricka Rolle said while Jamaica can celebrate with young Brianna Williams, coached by Ato Bolden, the Bahamas has a Brianna Bootle to look out for in the future.

“The Bahamas should be proud of

this up and coming young athlete, who is doing very well in a system that produced many of the USA pro athletes,” Rolle said.

She was referring to the success of Bootle, who remained undefeated in her past three appearances at the AAU Primary National Championships in Orlando.

Although her latest accomplishment was achieved over the weekend of July 6-7, Rolle said it’s never too late to recognise the performances of a rising young star.

When she’s not training, Bootle said she enjoys listening to music and dancing. She lists her favourite colours as pink and purple and she enjoys eating fish, but really loves strawberry daiquiris because they are sweet.

Bootle, a grade two student at St Thomas More, was so energetic as

SEE PAGE 3

BRIANNA Bootle shows off her track and field medals.

has produced 52 medals in international competition for the Bahamas during her stellar career that spanned more than three decades.

The 10-time Bahamian national 100 and 200 metre national champion won gold, silver and bronze medals in her five appearances at the Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996, Sydney, Australia in 2000, Athens, Greece in 2008,

SEE PAGE 2

‘WE HAVE INCREASED THE POT’ FOR HALF MARATHON

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN an effort to increase the awareness of distance running in the country, Bahamas Roadmasters has increased the cash purse for its annual Bahamas Half Marathon.

The event, scheduled for 6am Sunday, November 18 at Arawak Cay, will see the top prize for both the male and female winners pushed from $1,000 to $5,000 each, the largest amount ever offered for a local race.

“This year we have increased the pot to try and attract some of the international and our elite athletes to come out and compete,” said Ebby Jackson, one of the race organisers.

“That’s our main focus going forward. We want to get as many local competitors to come out and participate. We really want to see if we can also attract more of the international runners to participate as well.”

Competitors will get a chance not only to compete in the 13.1 mile half marathon that will travel around the western end of the island and back to Arawak Cay, but there will be a half marathon three-person relay and a five-kilometre walk.

Oneil Williams, who won an exhibition 12-mile run from Montagu Beach to Goodman’s Bay and back, covering both the old and new Paradise Island bridges over Mackey Williams and Sidney Collie on Saturday, is expected to lead the parade of local competitors.

Jackson, however, said they are working in conjunction with the Hilton hotel as the hosts of the competitors from overseas at a discounted accommodation.

“We have about 30 overseas runners that normally participate in the race,” Jackson said. “But we’re hoping that this increase in the prize will increase the participation of more competitors to come out and participate.”

Over the past five years that the Roadmasters have hosted the event, Jackson said they’ve attracted close to 800 competitors and they are hoping that they can double that amount.

As usual, the organisers will assist a number of charitable organisations including the AIDS Foundation, Ranfurly Homes for Children, Pilot Club of Nassau Pool Project, Seahorse Institute, Old Bight Mission Children’s Home, Special Olympics Bahamas,

SEE PAGE 3

PAGE 2, Wednesday, September 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

CIBC First Caribbean Walk For The Cure Bahamas all set for October 6

FERGUSONMCKENZIE from PAGE 1

Beijing, China in 2008 and London, England in 2012.

The 42-year-old Ferguson-McKenzie has also won four medals at the International Amateur Athletic Federation’s World Championships in Seville, Spain in 1999, Edmonton, Canada in 2001 and Berlin, Germany in 2009.

She also captured three Commonwealth Games medals, all in Manchester, England in 2002, a Pan American Games medal in Winnipeg, Canada in 1999, eight medals from the Central American and Caribbean Championships, two World Athletics Final in Monaco in 2004 and Stuttgart, Germany in 2007 and four in the Continental Cup. Regarded as probably the most decorated Bahamian female sprinter, Ferguson-McKenzie also has 18 medals from the CARIFTA Games in collection as well as the Austin Sealy Award as the most outstanding athlete.

Ferguson-McKenzie, who once projected to become a pediatrician, excelled for CC Sweeting before she went to St Andrew’s High School where she graduated as a deputy head girl and later completed her college education at the University of Georgia.

WALKERS from around New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera will be taking part in this year’s CIBC First Caribbean Walk For The Cure Bahamas event on October 6.

The Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC) will return as a bronze sponsor to hydrate runners with Dasani water during the annual event.

“We are happy to be on board as a bronze sponsor for the CIBC Walk For The Cure event,” said Nikia Wells, CBC marketing manager of communications.

“Our team is happy to do our part to increase breast cancer awareness in the Bahamas, and we support the goal of the CIBC race – to assist as many Bahamians impacted by this devastating illness as possible.

Wells added that the CIBC event is just one way that CBC is supporting

Bahamian breast cancer awareness activities.

“We will also be returning as a gold sponsor of the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 5k and Marathon Bahamas weekend.

“This will be our seventh year being a sponsor, and it is always exciting to see thousands of people from all fitness levels, age groups and backgrounds taking part, raising funding for breast cancer awareness and pushing themselves on race day.”

The CBC team will keep walkers hydrated during the CIBC Walk for the Cure by handing out Dasani water to participants at the New Providence leg of the event, which will take place on October 6 at the Goodman’s Bay Corporate Center. The walk will start at 6:30am.

NIKIA CHRISTIE, CIBC First Caribbean Walk For The Cure Bahamas representative and Gabriella Suighi, CBC marketing manager of activations.

CARIFTA: CBC SUPPORTS BAHAMAS TRIATHLON & AQUATHLON TEAM CARIBBEAN Bottling Company is proud to support the 2018 Bahamas Triathlon and Aquathlon CARIFTA Team as they travel to Tobago to represent the country from September 29-30.

“We are always excited to support the Bahamas’ talented young athletes,” said Nikia Wells, CBC marketing manager of communications.

“This year, we once again provided assistance to the Bahamas Triathlon and Aquathlon CARIFTA Team to help defray their travel expenses as they go to compete on the international stage.”

Thirteen young Bahamians will compete in the second edition of the Triathlon and Aquathlon CARIFTA Championships.

Last year, a four-member team competed in Barbados and earned a bronze medal finish in the 11-12 boys aquathlon.

This year, the team hopes to perform well and put on another impressive performance.

CBC was also a proud sponsor of the 2018 CARIFTA Track & Field Championships as well as the 2018 Bahamas CARIFTA swimming team earlier this year.

DORIAN ROACH, of the Bahamas Triathlon Association, and Gabriella Suighi, marketing manager of activations at the Caribbean Bottling Company.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 12, 2018, PAGE 3

‘WE HAVE INCREASED THE POT’ FOR HALF MARATHON FROM PAGE 1 Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled, Hurricane Joaquin Relief and the Bahamas Heart Association. Online registration is now open and persons can register through bahamashalf.com or info@bahamashalf.com.

Local competitors can call Four Seasons Nursery at 676-2182.

Or, Touch Control Limited at 377-1733.

PHOTOS BY TERREL W CAREY/ TRIBUNE STAFF

Sharks stop Truckers 11-4 in six innings in NPSA semi-finals

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net MANAGER Stephen ‘Bishop’ Beneby liked the way his youthful Platinum Lady Sharks played last night.

They steamrolled past the Johnson’s Lady Truckers 11-4 in six innings to force a fifth and deciding game in their New Providence Softball Association semi-final series.

That clincher is scheduled to be played at 8pm on Thursday night and Beneby feels if they can duplicate their game four effort, they could earn their berth into the best-of-seven championship final that will start on Saturday night against the defending champions Sunshine Auto Wildcats.

“We just have to perform.

We have to play,” Beneby said after his team’s victory in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

“We have a young team and my shortstop returned to school and that was the heart and soul of our team.

We just needed this game to pick us back up. Once we start the chant in the dugout, we’re good to go.

“We stopped this team twice in the regular season and so we don’t have no problems with them. We have created our own problems. We just have to go out there and execute.”

With their backs against the wall, the Lady Sharks came out clicking on all cylinders. After giving up two runs in the top of the first inning, they answered with three on their own in the bottom. The Lady Truckers managed to roll back to a 3-3 tie with another run in the third.

Platinum Pool, who lost Kenyoka Ingraham to an injury trying to add to the five runs they scored in the fourth, had a chance to stop Johnson’s in the fifth. But they only came up with two of the three runs needed.

They had to wait until the sixth for the final run for the abbreviated seven-run lead.

In that sixth inning, Bredia Ingraham got on base on a one-walk, moved to second on Kenyoka Ingraham replacement Monet Cartwright’s single and scored on two consecutive errors by the Lady Truckers as plate umpire Michael Hanna signalled the end of the game as the attention switches to Thursday night.

“We need to come out and play. We need to hit the ball. We made too many mistakes, too many errors,” said Johnson’s coach Mario Ford.

“We can’t make the playoffs and make these kind of mistakes. We have to hit the ball and play solid defence.

We can beat them. We just have to believe in ourselves

Fifth and deciding game on Thursday night

ON THE REPLAY: The youthful Platinum Lady Sharks steamrolled past the Johnson’s Lady Truckers 11-4 in six innings last night to force a fifth and deciding game in their New Providence Softball Association semi-final series. and do what we have to do.”

Shari Albury went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in (RBI) and scored twice to lead the Lady Sharks.

Both Dorneshia Woodside

and Aniska Lotmore were 1-for-4 with three runs scored, Lotmore added two RBI, Mona Hanna was 1-for-4 with a RBI and Bredia Ferguson had a hit and scored a run. Hanna

went the distance for the win on eight hits with six strike outs. Diva Burrows suffered the loss on 10 hits.

The Lady Truckers were led by Theota Ferguson with a 2-for-3 night

Brianna Bootle, 7, says she will be the next great Bahamian sprint sensation

BRIANNA BOOTLE, of the Bahamas, on the cover of a number of ESPN magazines.

with two RBI and a run scored, Dawanya Wright went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, Shevette Taylor was 1-for-3 with a run scored and Dawn Johnson was also 1-for-3 with a RBI.

FROM PAGE 1 a young child that couldn’t keep still, so her mother Michelle Russell decided to get her involved in track to make use of her energy.

“A friend highly recommended 3PA Stallions Track Club where she is actively part of the club,” Russell said. Brianna’s father is Brian Bootle.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, September 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

QUINTANA PITCHES CUBS PAST BREWERS 3-0, TAKE 2-GAME LEAD

By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — Jose Quintana pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning, Victor Caratini drove in two runs and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 last night to regain their two-game lead in the NL Central.

Quintana continued his mastery of Milwaukee in a huge spot for Chicago (8460), improving to 6-2 with a 1.60 ERA in 10 career starts against the Brewers. The veteran left-hander struck out seven and walked two in 6 2/3 innings in his second straight victory over Jhoulys Chacin, also winning at Milwaukee last Wednesday.

Quintana (13-9) received a standing ovation from the crowd of 37,017 when he departed with the bases loaded after a replay review awarded an infield single to pinch-hitter Hernan Perez.

Justin Wilson then struck out pinch-hitter Manny Pina on three pitches, preserving Chicago’s 2-0 lead and drawing another loud roar at Wrigley Field.

Jorge De La Rosa pitched a perfect eighth and Pedro Strop finished the threehitter for his 13th save in 17 chances. Shortstop Addison Russell made an outstanding backhanded stop to retire Ryan Braun for the second out of the ninth.

Milwaukee (83-63) had won seven of eight, including a 3-2 victory in the series opener that trimmed Chicago’s division lead to one game. Chacin (14-7) pitched five innings of onehit ball, but some sloppy play in the second proved costly for the wild cardleading Brewers.

BOSTON Red Sox’s Brock Holt follows through on his pinch-hit, three run home run off Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Ryan Tepera during the seventh inning last night at Fenway Park in Boston. At left is Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

RED SOX 1ST TEAM IN MAJORS TO CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season, rallying on pinch-hitter Brock Holt’s go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 Tuesday night.

Guided by rookie manager Alex Cora, the Red Sox improved the best record in baseball at 99-46.

They assured themselves at least a spot in the AL wildcard game while reaching the postseason for the third straight year.

The AL East-leading Red Sox began the

night with an eight-game lead over the New York Yankees.

Boston starter Chris Sale came off the disabled list and pitched one scoreless inning, striking out two and throwing 26 pitches. Sale has been slowed by inflammation in his left shoulder, and the Red Sox had said they would ease their ace back into action.

Sale continued tossing in the bullpen after he was pulled, trying to rebuild his arm strength for the postseason.

The Red Sox matched a team record by making it to the postseason three

years in a row. They also did it from 2003-05 and 2007-09 — with World Series titles in ‘04 and ‘07 included in each run.

Ryan Brasier (2-0) got the win with 1 1-3 innings of hitless relief as Boston used seven relievers after limiting Sale in his return.

Ryan Tepera (5-5) took the loss.

Blue Jays rookie starter Ryan Borucki took a 2-0 lead into the seventh before Boston scored four times. Steve Pearce hit an RBI triple and Holt connected with two outs.

Kevin Pillar had an RBI single for Toronto during a

two-run sixth, when Devon Travis scored the game’s first run on a double-steal and botched defensive play by the Red Sox. Pillar ran face-first into the center field wall chasing Pearce’s triple. Pillar needed a few minutes to get back to his feet, but stayed in the game.

with a bloody nose, swollen left eye socket and a few facial cuts.

Red Sox: Sale made his first start since Aug. 12 and threw 26 pitches. After a leadoff double by Gurriel, he struck out two, then walked a batter before Grichuck popped out to end the inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM Blue Jays: RF Randal Grichuk was back in the lineup, two days after he crashed face-first into a guard’s metal chair. Concussion tests were negative on Grichuk, who was left

UP NEXT Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (4-5, 5.17 ERA) is coming off his first win since June 3, allowing three runs on six hits last Wednesday in a 10-3 victory over Tampa Bay.

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By TODD KARPOVICH Associated Press BALTIMORE (AP) — The acquisition of Mike Fiers has coincided with the Oakland Athletics’ surge toward the postseason.

With a pitching staff decimated by injuries, the Athletics will be leaning heavily on the right-hander to help anchor the rotation.

Fiers remained unbeaten in an Oakland uniform, working six solid innings to lead the Athletics past the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 on a damp last night.

“I feel like if I do my job, I’m going to get a win,” Fiers said. “Keeping a team within a couple runs with the way our team is and the way we swing the bats, I find myself in a good chance to win us the game.”

Oakland extended its winning streak to five games and is 33-15 since the AllStar break, the best mark in the majors during that span.

The Athletics hold the second AL wild-card spot behind the Yankees.

Fiers (12-6), who was acquired from the Tigers on Aug. 6, allowed one run and four hits with seven strikeouts and a walk. He is 5-0 in seven starts with the A’s and has won a careerbest six straight decisions overall.

“It seems like other than one (start), maybe, that’s pretty much what he’s been giving us,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “Six innings and a lead when he leaves. Seems to get a little stronger at times as the game goes along.”

Stephen Piscotty went 3 for 4, including an RBI single in a three-run third inning. He extended his hitting streak to 12 games and has driven in a run in six straight.

“It just seems like every time we need somebody up in a big situation, (Piscotty) comes up and either hits a home run or gets a big hit to extend the lead or whatever it will be,” Melvin said.

OAKLAND Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning yesterday.

(AP Photo/Gail Burton) Adam Jones was back in the starting lineup for the first time since last Wednesday and had a pair of hits for Baltimore, which has lost five straight and has the majors’ worst record (41103). Jonathan Villar drove in both Orioles runs with a homer off Fiers in the sixth and a single in the eighth off Lou Trivino.

Jeurys Familia, acquired from the Mets on July 21, worked a perfect ninth for his 18th save overall.

Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb, who was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday with a blister on his throwing hand, pitched two scoreless innings before departing with the same injury.

“I thought he was on his way to another good outing tonight and he was crisp, carrying a good fastball,” manager Buck Showalter said. “He was really frustrated up the runway, regardless of what kind of stuff he might have been carrying and what he could have done.”

Mike Wright (3-2) entered in the third and was hit in the left foot by a sharp grounder from Ramon Laureano, the second batter he faced. Matt Chapman followed with an RBI double, and Khris Davis and Piscotty drove in runs with singles.

Wright settled down to retire the next seven batters.

Orioles: OF DJ Stewart had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk. His first appearance with the Orioles will be his major league debut. ... RHP Cody Carroll was recalled from Norfolk. He has allowed seven runs and eight hits with nine walks over nine innings with Baltimore this season. ... C Andrew Susac was reinstated from the restricted list.

TRAINER’S ROOM Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea will have seasonending surgery on his left shoulder next week in Los Angeles. Manaea has been on the disabled list since Aug. 26. The 26-year-old Manaea went 12-9 with a 3.59 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 160 2/3 innings this year.

Orioles: OF Mark Trumbo (right knee surgery) and RHP Pedro Araujo (right elbow sprain) were each transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

UP NEXT Athletics: Liam Hendriks (0-1, 6.32 ERA) is slated to make his third start of the season. He is expected to work an inning or two.

Orioles: Andrew Cashner (4-14, 4.89 ERA) is looking to stop a four-game losing streak. In his last outing, Cashner allowed three solo home runs in a 5-3 loss to the Mariners.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 12, 2018, PAGE 5

Patriots, Eagles switch places in the latest AP Pro32 poll

By SIMMI BUTTAR AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Well that didn’t take long.

The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, who met in the Super Bowl, switched places yesterday in the latest AP Pro32 poll .

The defending champion Eagles opened the season on top, with the Patriots a close second.

After the first week of the regular season, it’s the Patriots on top with three of the 12 first-place votes and 367 points in balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL. The Patriots opened the season with a 27-20 win over the Houston Texans. Tom Brady threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

“Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski put away any offseason speculation about their futures in New England by picking up where they left off,” said Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback. “Just as notable was the much improved performance by the Patriots’ defence.”

The Eagles received six first-place votes for 366 points despite their sluggish 18-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

The Minnesota Vikings remained at No. 3 with 363 points. In his first start with the Vikings, Kirk Cousins had 244 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. “Solid start for Kirk Cousins at quarterback,” said John Clayton of 710 ESPN in Seattle.

The L.A. Rams are close behind again at No. 4. The Rams earned the other three first-place votes for 360 points.

By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer

NEW England Patriots defensive back Stephon Gilmore, centre, celebrates his interception with Dont’a Hightower, left, and Eric Rowe, right, during the first half against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) “After a shaky first half, Rams put on a clinic against the overmatched Raiders and show that (coach) Sean McVay’s team looks ready to live up to the Super Bowl hype,” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said of the Rams’ opening 33-13 rout of the Raiders on Monday night.

The Jacksonville Jaguars moved up two spots to No. 5 and face a big test on Sunday when they host the Patriots in a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game.

“The Jags have waited almost eight months to avenge a bitter loss in Foxborough that cost them a

Super Bowl berth,” said Ira Kaufman of Fox 13 in Tampa, Florida.

The Green Bay Packers jumped three spots to No. 6 after Aaron Rodgers led a remarkable comeback from a 20-0 deficit to a 24-23 victory on Sunday night after briefly leaving the game with a knee injury. The Packers will host the Vikings on Sunday in one of the top matchups of Week 2.

“Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were impressive in the second half Sunday, but let’s be honest, the real test comes against the Vikings,” said Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.

The Kansas City Chiefs moved up six spots to No. 7 after beating the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers 38-28. The Chiefs will get another road challenge this week as they head to Heinz Field to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Carolina Panthers rose three spots to No. 8 after topping the Dallas Cowboys 16-8.

The Baltimore Ravens leaped five places to No. 9 after routing the Buffalo Bills 47-3.

The Ravens will open Week 2 when they head to Cincinnati to face the Bengals on Thursday night. “(The Ravens) look like

AFC North favourites,” Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki said.

The Falcons fell two spots to No. 10. They are scheduled to host the Panthers on Sunday in their home opener at MercedesBenz Stadium, site of the next Super Bowl.

The New York Jets, who opened the season in last place, soared to No. 17 after their 48-17 rout of the Detroit Lions, who fell from No. 19 to No. 30.

“Either the Detroit Lions are that bad or the Jets are going to be a lot better than I thought,” said Alex Marvez of The Sporting News.

RAMS SPOIL GRUDEN’S RETURN WITH 33-13 WIN OVER RAIDERS

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer OAKLAND, California (AP) — Once Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams offence got started after sitting out the entire preseason, they couldn’t be stopped.

Goff threw two touchdown passes, newcomer Marcus Peters returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown and the Rams used a dominant second half to spoil coach Jon Gruden’s much-anticipated return to the Oakland sideline by beating the Raiders 33-13 on Monday night.

“There was a little bit of feeling it out, seeing what they’re going to do, seeing what their scheme is,” Goff said. “I thought our defence did a great job of responding as well as our offence. I still don’t think we played up to our standards in the first half. Think the second half, we came out and we did.”

Goff and the rest of the offensive starters for the Rams (1-0) didn’t play at all in the preseason, and many of the top defensive players also got little time on the field in the exhibition games.

That might have contributed to the shaky start.

The Raiders (0-1) moved the ball relatively easily and the Rams struggled to finish drives. But Los Angeles flipped the script in the second half, outscoring Oakland 23-0 and showing why this team is considered one of the favourites in the NFC after last year’s breakthrough season that ended with a division title.

“I think for us to be able to go through a little bit of adversity and have to come back from behind going into the half, that was a good test of your resolve

DOLPHINS SHOW STAYING POWER IN SEASONOPENING VICTORY

as a football team,” coach Sean McVay said. “It was certainly a good job by those guys and I thought the offence responded.”

Gruden had his first game as coach of the Raiders (0-1) since the end of the 2001 season. He was traded to Tampa Bay after that season and beat the Raiders in the Super Bowl the following year. He has been announcing for ESPN for the past nine seasons before Oakland owner Mark Davis finally lured him back to the delight of Raiders fans.

But there were only boos by the end of the night after Peters iced the game with his touchdown return on Derek Carr’s third interception of the game.

“It was a tale of two halves,” Gruden said.

“Obviously we did not take care of the ball and that was a critical part of that football game.”

Peters punctuated that with a celebratory dive into the end zone reminiscent of his close friend Marshawn Lynch.

“I did the Beast Mode,” Peters said. “That’s what I did.”

Gruden’s second stint started well with the Raiders taking the opening kick and driving 75 yards for a touchdown on a 10-yard run by Lynch. The Rams had Lynch stood up at the 3, but he powered his way into the end zone with help from a push by his offensive linemen.

Oakland managed just six points the rest of the way against a defence fortified by the offseason additions of former AllPros Peters, Aqib Talib and Ndamukong Suh. Carr threw an interception in the end zone to John Johnson in the second quarter and another in the fourth when he tried

LOS Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff throws as Oakland Raiders nose tackle P.J. Hall looks on during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Sept. 10, 2018.

(AP Photo/Ben Margot) to pull back a pass at the last minute only to have the ball slip out and float right to linebacker Cory Littleton.

“It was one of the dumbest plays you could have,” Carr said. “I knew what I should have done as soon as that play was over.”

The Rams matched the early score when Todd Gurley took a flip from Goff and raced 19 yards to the end zone. They took control in the second half.

Los Angeles tied it at 13 on a field goal by Greg Zuerlein on the opening drive of the third quarter and then took the lead for good on a 58-yard, fourplay drive that featured two passes downfield to another offseason addition, Brandin Cooks, and then the 8-yard TD to Cooper Kupp.

MISSING MACK The Raiders barely touched Goff all night just over a week after trading star pass rusher Khalil Mack to Chicago for a

package that included two first-round picks. Bruce Irvin had the only sack when Goff held the ball too long and there were few other pressures.

TOUGH STARTS Gruden’s defeat dropped the league’s new head coaches to 0-7 in Week 1.

FLAG DAY The Raiders once again had issues with penalties, committing 10 for 145 yards in the first half alone thanks to two long pass interference calls against Rashaan Melvin (37 yards) and Dominique RodgersCromartie (50). That’s more yards in penalties than they had in any game during Gruden’s first fouryear stint and the most in the first half for any team since at least 2000. The Raiders had one penalty for 10 yards in the second half.

INJURIES Raiders long snapper Andrew DePaola injured

his knee in the first quarter and didn’t return. TE Lee Smith filled in and provided accurate snaps on two field goals. He had a high snap on a punt but Johnny Townsend leaped and brought it down with no issues. It was a far cry from the 2012 season opener when Jon Condo got hurt for Oakland and Travis Goethel came in and botched three snaps in a loss to the Chargers.

“It was stressful, I can’t even lie to you guys,” Smith said. “I’m just glad they all got back there.”

Rams returner Pharoh Cooper left in the second half with an ankle injury.

ANTHEM Lynch sat once again during the national anthem. Lynch also sat for the anthem all of last season but never gave a reason for his decision.

Rams: Host Arizona on Sunday Raiders: Visit Denver on Sunday

DAVIE, Florida (AP) — The Miami Dolphins’ first game in 2017 was delayed a week due to a hurricane, so it was no big deal when they needed more than seven hours to play this year’s opener.

Miami showed a willingness to wait for a win, outlasting the Tennessee Titans 27-20 in a game took longer to play than any since at least 1970. Months of preparation for the season didn’t include a plan on how to deal with a pair of weather delays lasting about two hours each.

“The coaching staff and players and staff — everybody does a good job of trying to figure out the solution,” coach Adam Gase said.

They’ve had plenty of practice dealing with unusual challenges.

Last year the Dolphins lost quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a season-ending knee injury early in training camp. Hurricane Irma caused the postponement of the first game, forcing Miami to play 16 weeks in a row. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons went AWOL on the eve of the opener, and offensive line coach Chris Foerster resigned at midseason after a video appeared to show him snorting white powder.

In short, Gase has become accustomed to unexpected challenges.

“I won’t be surprised by anything,” he said. “I think we’ve almost covered everything.”

The biggest issue with Sunday’s delays, Gase said, was not knowing how long they would last.

“It’s dead time, and then you get a 10-minute warning and you have to juice it back up,” he said.

That the Dolphins did, scoring 20 points in the final 22 minutes after the second delay. That included a 102-yard kickoff return

by Jakeem Grant and a 75-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to Kenny Stills, as well as a 54-yard interception return by Reshad Jones that helped seal the win.

“Wild game,” Tannehill tweeted Monday. “Part of me felt like we’d still be playing today. Glad to be a part of some history and get the year started with a win.”

The Dolphins had stellar contributions from Jones (two interceptions), Stills (two touchdown catches) and Frank Gore (61 yards in nine carries). But 2017 bugaboos — tackling, pre-snap penalties and third-down conversions — remained a problem, and five red-zone possessions produced only one touchdown.

Gase was especially unhappy about a thirdquarter brawl after defensive tackle Jordan Phillips stood over injured Titans tackle Taylor Lewan and appeared to taunt him following Jones’ first interception.

“The fight drives me nuts,” Gase said. “I’d rather our guys celebrate with the guy who just intercepted the ball, instead of doing what happened there. We’ll address it, we’ll handle it and we’ll make changes if we have to.”

Tannehill threw for 230 yards with two scores and two interceptions. It was his first game since a knee injury sidelined him 21 months ago.

“I reflected a little bit on the grind that it was to get back here,” Tannehill said.

“I tried to stay in the present as much as I could.”

Brock Osweiler was unneeded as Tannehill’s backup. On game day Gase chose Osweiler for the No. 2 job over David Fales, who was inactive, but the pecking order could change.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 12, 2018, PAGE 7

History says Storm WNBA coronation only a matter of time

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) — If history is any indicator, the WNBA Finals are already over.

That may not be a fair assessment to make about the Washington Mystics, who head back home facing a 2-0 deficit to the Seattle Storm in the best-of-five series, and nearly pulled off a split in Seattle before falling short 75-73 in Game 2 on Sunday.

But the history of teams that have faced a 2-0 deficit since the league went to a best-of-five format in 2005 doesn’t paint an optimistic picture for the Mystics.

Four times before, the higher seed has swept the first two games at home. In all four occasions the series ended in Game 3.

“We feel really good, we feel really positive. We’re going to be better,” Washington guard Kristi Toliver said after Game 2. “We were better from the day before. We’re going to be better when we get home,

and we’re going to knock down shots.”

Whether it happens in a sweep or not, Seattle has positioned itself to join the elite of WNBA franchises.

Seattle could become just the sixth franchise in league history to win three or more titles and join the defunct Houston Comets as the only franchise to have never lost a Finals appearance. The Comets were four-for-four before folding after the 2008 season.

Seattle is on the cusp of being three-for-three in the Finals, all of them with Sue Bird at the helm. Her running mate for Seattle’s first two titles was Lauren Jackson. Now it’s league MVP Breanna Stewart, who had an MVP-type performance in Game 2.

“For somebody who consistently has presence and consistently wants the ball and consistently is winning your team basketball games that’s an MVP. ... In all honesty, she’s been showing it all season,” Bird said.

There’s still a lot for Washington to overcome

when it returns home for Game 3 tonight.

After getting blown out in Game 1, the Mystics had a chance to get out of Seattle with a split, only to watch the Storm rally in the fourth quarter behind Stewart.

Seattle made a point of making sure Stewart got her hands on the ball in the

fourth quarter. She made both of her shot attempts, took six free throws, grabbed two rebounds and had two steals in the fourth quarter alone, when Seattle outscored Washington 17-12.

Meanwhile, the Mystics couldn’t figure out how to find Elena Delle Donne.

Yes, she’s not at 100 per

cent playing with a bone bruise in her left knee, but the absence of Delle Donne in the fourth quarter was a major factor in Game 2. She had just one shot attempt, no rebounds, no free throws in the final 10 minutes.

Seattle coach Dan Hughes said it was a focus from the outset of the game to get Stewart as many

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny

Partly cloudy with a shower late

Partly sunny with spotty showers

Partly sunny, a shower in the p.m.

Pleasant with clouds and sun

Mostly cloudy with a passing shower

High: 89°

Low: 78°

High: 88° Low: 78°

High: 89° Low: 77°

High: 89° Low: 77°

High: 89° Low: 77°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

101° F

88° F

99°-86° F

100°-87° F

100°-86° F

96°-86° F

ORLANDO

TAMPA

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 79° F/26° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

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ABACO

S

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High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

4-8 knots

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High: 90° F/32° C Low: 76° F/24° C

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FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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WEST PALM BEACH

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uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C

MIAMI

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C

4-8 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 88° F/31° C Low .................................................... 78° F/26° C Normal high ....................................... 88° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 75° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 93° F/34° C Last year’s low ................................... 80° F/26° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 39.16” Normal year to date ................................... 26.42”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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High: 90° F/32° C Low: 82° F/28° C

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

10:28 a.m.

10:48 p.m.

3.6 3.4

4:17 a.m.

4:46 p.m.

0.0 0.2

Thursday

11:17 a.m.

11:37 p.m.

3.5 3.1

5:04 a.m.

5:38 p.m.

0.1 0.4

Friday

12:08 p.m.

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3.4 -----

5:51 a.m.

6:31 p.m.

0.4 0.7

Saturday

12:27 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

2.9 3.2

6:40 a.m.

7:27 p.m.

0.6 1.0

Sunday

1:21 a.m.

1:56 p.m.

2.7 3.0

7:32 a.m.

8:26 p.m.

0.9 1.2

Monday

2:18 a.m.

2:55 p.m.

2.5 2.9

8:28 a.m.

9:27 p.m.

1.1 1.3

Tuesday

3:19 a.m.

3:54 p.m.

2.5 2.9

9:27 a.m. 1.1 10:26 p.m. 1.3

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:55 a.m.

7:17 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

9:43 a.m.

9:40 p.m.

First

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New

Sep. 16

Sep. 24

Oct. 2

Oct. 8

CAT ISLAND

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High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

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touches as possible. “Your chances, your analytics for success with Breanna Stewart catching the ball twice is good, and I don’t even know the exact number, but I’ve watched enough tape to know,” Hughes said.

Washington coach Mike Thibault was annoyed with several things after Game 2, most dealing with officiating.

His opening statement noted the free throw difference between Stewart and Delle Donne (14 to 3), and an apparent non-call on Washington’s next-tolast possession where Bird knocked the ball from Toliver as she drove the baseline.

The scramble for the loose ball led to a jump ball that Seattle won and ended Washington’s chance to escape the Pacific Northwest with a split.

“Obviously, it’s really frustrating to not come away with the win, but we were able to see a lot of things, and we get to build on it for these next three games,” Delle Donne said.

SEATTLE Storm’s Sue Bird, left, high-five’s a teammate as they celebrate after beating the Washington Mystics in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

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High: 88° F/31° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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insurance management tracking map

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

3-6 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 81° F/27° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

N

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W

E

W

N

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4-8 knots

4-8 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS NW at 4-8 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots SW at 3-6 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots WNW at 3-6 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots NNE at 4-8 Knots SSW at 3-6 Knots E at 3-6 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots E at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots NNW at 3-6 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots E at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots SW at 3-6 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots

WAVES 8-12 Feet 6-10 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 6-10 Feet 4-8 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-8 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 85° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F

Covering The Bahamas for over 40 years.

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PAGE 8, Wednesday, September 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Column: The rise of Justin Rose to No. 1 in the world

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Justin Rose would like to have changed how he reached No. 1 in the world.

But not when.

Rose felt emotionally conflicted when the BMW Championship ended in a light rain at Aronimink Golf Club. He was going for his third title in the Philadelphia area, including the US Open he won at Merion five years ago. He hit what he thought was one of the better putts he had ever struck under pressure, a 15-footer for par in regulation, only to see it spin hard around the back edge of the cup.

And then in a playoff, his 5-foot par putt missed to the left, making Keegan Bradley a winner for the first time in six years.

The consolation prize was obvious: Rose replaced Dustin Johnson at No. 1 in the world.

“In the moment, we’re all about trying to win a golf tournament,” Rose said.

“But give me half an hour maybe, and I might be able to say I really enjoyed it.”

Reflection came much sooner in the form of a tweet: “We did it Dad....

World Number 1. Thank you so much to my family, friends & everybody that has helped me achieve this incredible goal.”

The words were accompanied by a photo of Rose from that Sunday afternoon at Merion when he hit all the right shots and became a major champion. He is shown pointing to the sky to acknowledge his father, Ken, who died of leukemia in September 2002.

JUSTIN ROSE, of England, tosses his club after missing a putt for par on the 18th hole during the BMW Championship golf tournament at the Aronimink Golf Club on Monday. Keegan Bradley held off Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff to win the rain-plagued BMW Championship for his first PGA Tour victory in six years.

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola) The day Rose became No. 1 in the world was the anniversary of his death, a day the son never forgets.

No, he didn’t get the trophy awarded after four rounds.

Rose got a title earned over the last two years by a mathematical formula, and over the last 20 years by sheer determination.

“It’s boyhood dreams, know what I mean?” Rose said. “Today is all about the process, and there will be next week to win tournaments. But to get to world No. 1 is unbelievable. It’s

something I can say now in my career I’ve been the best player in the world.

I’ve been to the top of the game.”

And what a trip.

He was a 17-year-old amateur at Royal Birkdale in 1998 who holed out for par on the final hole to tie for fourth, soaking up a celebration that suggested golf could only get sweeter.

And then it went sour over the next year when he turned pro and missed 21 consecutive cuts on the European Tour. It took him nearly four years before

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he won for the first time in Europe.

He went 12 years before winning on the PGA Tour, rallying from four shots behind to win the Memorial and get that handshake with Jack Nicklaus. He won the US Open in 2013 by denying Phil Mickelson.

He added precious gold to the collection of silver trophies when he won in golf’s return to the Olympics in 2016.

All he won Monday at Aronimink was a designation that can’t be taken away.

Rose is the 22nd player to reach No. 1 in a world ranking that began in 1986. He is the fourth player from England, joining Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Nick Faldo.

Argue about the math, but not the results. In the last year, Rose has four victories, including a World Golf Championship, and four runner-up finishes.

Sure, it’s awkward to celebrate one title right after losing another. It’s not unusual, though.

Jordan Spieth reached No. 1 in the world for the

first time with a runnerup finish in the 2015 PGA Championship.

Martin Kaymer was assured No. 1 when he reached the final of the Match Play Championship in Arizona, only to lose the next day to Luke Donald.

Greg Norman, Rory McIlroy and Vijay Singh each returned to No. 1 by losing in playoffs. The first time Nick Faldo reached No. 1, he was home recovering from a wrist injury.

Rose is the third player this year to be No. 1, following Johnson and Justin Thomas.

He joins eight other players in the last 20 years to win a major and a World Golf Championship and reach No. 1 in the world.

The others are Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Singh, Kaymer and Johnson.

How long will it last?

Rose is assured of staying No. 1 when he returns next week to the Tour Championship.

But it really doesn’t matter.

For Rose, the 20 years and seven weeks it took him to reach the top was as rewarding — certainly memorable — as the moment he got there.

From 21 consecutive missed cuts to No. 1 in the world.

Two months ago, he had to make an 18-foot putt on the 18th hole at Carnoustie just to make the cut.

Two days later, he was runner-up at the British Open. It was only the latest example in a career filled with them that better days are ahead.

He has the No. 1 ranking to prove it.

JORDAN SPIETH MIGHT LOOK AT EARLIER START TO HIS SEASON

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Jordan Spieth shed a little insight on his expectations at the beginning of 2016 when he said his goals start with winning and include “being there” with a chance in a couple of major championships.

Two years later, he failed to win on the PGA Tour for the second time in six seasons. He was there with a chance at two majors, coming from nine back in the final round at the Masters to within one shot of the lead until a bogey on the 18th hole for a 64. At the British Open, he had a three-way share of the lead in the final round, fell back with bad swings and never caught up at Carnoustie.

The disappointment was missing the Tour Championship for the first time.

“I was in control of my own destiny and didn’t have it this week,” said Spieth, the only player from the top 10 in the world who won’t be at East Lake.

It didn’t help that Spieth, for the second straight season, sat out the entire fall portion of the PGA Tour schedule.

Setting him back even further was missing nearly an entire month with mononucleosis.

That means he will fall short of the minimum 25 tournaments required for those who didn’t add to the schedule an event they haven’t played in four years. Still to be determined is the punishment.

This policy falls under a “major penalty,” which comes with at least a $20,000 fine and a suspension of more than three tournaments, although the commissioner has the ultimate say and any suspension will not be in play.

It makes no sense to punish a player who is guilty of not playing enough tournaments by making him sit out even more.

IN this file photo, Jordan Spieth watches his tee shot on the 15th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament. (AP) More than money, what Worth noting, however, really hits home for a player is that along with giving like Spieth is time. the International team One option would be four captain’s picks for the to increase the number of December 2019 matches in new events, and that might Melbourne, Australia, the not be a problem. Even qualifications for the Interbefore Spieth was in jeop- national team have been ardy of missing the Tour changed. Instead of taking Championship, he was the top players from the contemplating adding as world ranking, the Internamany as two North Ameri- tional team will be decided can stops in the fall. Spieth by world ranking points is getting married after the earned from the Dell Techfall season and is like to nologies Championship two pass on overseas travel this weeks ago through the Tour year.

Championship next August.

That also would solve the Thanyakorn won the problem of not starting a ISPS Handa Match Play on new year feeling as though the Japan Golf Tour. Rathe were behind. A tour- tanon won the consolation nament or two in the fall match. would give him a chance to make sure the new year PROGRESS VS starts in Hawaii.

RESULTS Spieth could use a fresh Adam Scott missed the start.

Tour Championship for the First, he has the Ryder third time in the last four Cup in France, in which he years, though he at least will not have competed in had a chance. He wasn’t two weeks. More than not even guaranteed to make winning this year, Spieth the playoffs until a thirdwas rarely close. In the 17 place finish in the PGA stroke-play events that he Championship, followed by made the cut, he finished an a tie for fifth in The Northaverage of 9.6 strokes out of ern Trust. the lead.

It did wonders for his confidence. And it started PRESIDENTS with seeing his name on the CUP leaderboard.

Cameron Smith is at the “The game is not very top of the Presidents Cup different. But a result, when standings for the Interna- you’re in a results-driven tional team. Perhaps even industry, means so much,” more surprising is to see he said. “Sometimes you’ve Thai players Thanyakorn got to fool yourself: ‘It’s Khrongpha and Rattanon about the process, it’s the Wannasrichan among process, the process.’ Well, the top eight automatic after like six months, the qualifiers. process needs to yield some OK, it’s early — very results. I was at that point. I early. needed a result.”