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PGA Tour: R-3 Preview of Honda Classic

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PALM BEACH GARDENS – Aaron Wise holds a 36-hole lead/co-lead for first time in his 88th TOUR start. Wise’ 12-under 128 marks low 36-hole tournament score since the event moved to PGA National in 2007 (129/Rory McIlroy/2014) and ties tournament record (Dan Pohl/1989). The (-12)-(128) also matches Wise’s career low 36-hole score.

Wise became the first player with multiple (64s) or better in the same week at The Honda Classic since the event moved to PGA National (Champion) in 2007.

First round leader Matt Jones (T2) at (-9) ranked 133rd in proximity to the hole (44 feet, 2 inches) in the second round after ranking No. 2 (25 feet, 6 inches) in R-1.

Brandon Hagy entered the field as second-to-last alternate on Wednesday when Kramer Hickok withdrew from the tournament. Hagy sits (T-2) (69-62) – (131) with Jones (61-70) – (131).

In 90th start on Tour, Sam Ryder (4th/-8) seeks his first pro victory. His (63) marked his lowest score on Tour since 2018 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open (62)-(R4). He shot four rounds in the 70s to finish T-53 in this event last year, his only prior appearance. Ryder’s best finish among eight career top-10s is T-2/2018 John Deere Classic; T-10/Farmers Insurance Open.

With a pair of (68s), defending The Honda Classic champion Sungjae Im sits T16 in his bid to join Jack Nicklaus (1977-78) as players to successfully defend their title in the event.

The 36-Hole Cut allowed for 68 players at (1-over)-(141) from a field of 144 professionals.

Two Bruins Games Postponed

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BOSTON – (From Official News Release) – The National Hockey League announced, that as a result of four additional Boston Bruins Players entering the NHL’s COVID Protocols, the team’s game Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres and Tuesday versus the New York Islanders will be postponed. Pending test results in the coming days, it is expected that the Bruins will be able to re-open their facilities for practice on Wednesday, March 24. The decision was made by the League’s, NHLPA’s and Club’s medical groups.

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The Bruins’ organization has, and will continue to follow, all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of its Players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, state and national agencies.

PGA Tour Brunch Coverage of The Honda Classic

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PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA – Matt Jones took advantage of his 7:36am EDT tee-time and proceeded to tie a PGA National (Champion Course) record, shooting a career-low (61). He leads Aaron Wise and Honda Classic champion Russell Henley by three stokes after the opening round. Jones matched the record (61) by Brian Harman in at PGA National in 2012. The three-stroke opening round lead is the biggest first round lead since 1967.

Windy conditions challenged the field most of the morning and afternoon.

This is the 15th time The Honda Classic is being played at PGA National. In that time period, no first-round leader on this course has won the tournament. Across all courses for the Honda, the last first-round leader to win the Classic was Justin Leonard in 2003 at Mirasol.

Russell Henley opened with (64) to match his lowest 18-hole score in the event. He opened with (64) en route to winning The Honda Classic in 2014.

In bid to join Jack Nicklaus as players to successfully defend a Honda Classic title, Sungjae Im opened with (70).

PGA National features “The Bear Trap” at (Nos. 15-17) a stretch of land that ranks as the fourth-toughest three-hole stretch on Tour since 2007 (among courses played in at least 10 seasons, non-majors).

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Honda Classic Tee Times today at 7:25am (EDT/local) through 2:21pm (EDT/local). (link)

Weather for Today: Friday weather calls for a chance of Showers and T-Storms, 50% chance of rain but windy again (15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph). Similar forecast for the weekend, with showers and windy conditions.

PGATourBrunch will be serving an early “BRUNCH” and posting at 8:00am EDT Saturday-Sunday.

Next Week: World Golf Championship – Dell Technologies Match Playand the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club in Dominican Republic.

Leaderboard After Round One at The Honda

Matt Jones 61 (-9)

Aaron Wise 64 (-6)

Russell Henley 64 (-6)

Five players 66 (-4)

Bruins Follow NHL Protocol

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BOSTON – (Official News Release) – Following subsequent testing in Buffalo, the Boston Bruins traveled back to Boston Friday evening, March 19, and are expected to self-quarantine through Tuesday per NHL COVID protocols.

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Players who entered the COVID-19 protocol did not travel with the team. After communication and cooperation with the League and NHLPA, all of those players have safely returned to Boston.

The Boston Bruins will continue to work with the NHL and medical experts to follow all recommended guidelines in place to protect the community, players and staff.

Boston players currently in the NHL’s COVID-19 Protocol include: Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci, Sean Kuraly, David Pastrnak and Craig Smith.

 

VKTRY Worn by 100+ NFL Prospects

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MILFORD, CT – (Official News Release) – VKTRY GEAR recently announced that a record number of NFL top prospects will be wearing their carbon fiber insoles as they go through their on campus Pro Days in the coming weeks. The NFL Combine has moved from Indianapolis to local workouts due to COVID 19 restrictions. Over 100 prospects from more than 60 schools will be wearing VKTRY Insoles in this critical stage of career preparation.

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“Many of our relationships with NFL stars began at the Combine where athletes experience +9.3% added explosiveness from their VKs,” said VKTRY CEO Steve Wasik. “Most athletes see significant improvements in the broad jump, the vertical jump and their time in the 40. They really feel the difference and understand how VKTRY Insoles can help them get an edge both at the Combine and on the playing field. Athletes also appreciate the improved injury protection with VKs, recently proven by one of the top athletic research facilities in the world, the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut.”

Amongst those athletes using VKTRY Insoles for their Pro days are projected first round picks: Alabama Running Back Najee Harris, Florida TE Kyle Pitts, Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley, Miami DL Gregory Rosseau, Miami DE Jaelen Phillips, and LSU WR Terrace Marshall. Players from every Power Five Conference will be using VKTRY Gear for the first time during their Pro Days.

Made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber, VKTRY Insoles store and return energy to the athlete. They also provide a “spring-like” effect to improve shock absorption and reduce the load and stress on the athlete’s body. In independent performance testing, athletes wearing VKs increased their broad jump by an average of +4.0”, their vert by +1.6” and improved their 40 times by 0.12 seconds.

VKTRY was created and founded by Matt Arciuolo, Certified Pedorthist for the USA Olympic Bobsled and Skeleton teams. The product design evolved following the Olympics and Arciuolo received a product patent in 2015.

PGA Tour: Preview for Round-1 at Honda

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PALM BEACH GARDENS – After missing The Honda Classic Pro-Am on Wednesday, March 17, but indicating he would play in the tournament, Daniel Berger, the favorite and second-highest ranked player scheduled to compete, WD from The Honda Classic yesterday.

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Only six of the top 30 Tour players in the FedExCup standings are in the field this week, led by Joaquin Niemann (No. 12).

The field does include 11 past champions: Vijay Singh (1999), Padraig Harrington (2005, 2015), Luke Donald (2006), Camilo Villegas (2010), Rory Sabbatini (2011), Michael Thompson (2013), Russell Henley (2014), Adam Scott (2016), Rickie Fowler (2017), Keith Mitchell (2019) and Sungjae Im (2020).

Lee Westwood, runner-up the last two weeks, made the biggest jump in the FedExCup during the tour’s “Florida Swing,” beginning at the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession (131 spots) to tee-off at The Honda.

Honda Classic defending champion Sungjae Im enters his title defense in the tournament in the top 20 in both the FedExCup and Official World Golf Ranking.

PGA National features “The Bear Trap” at (Nos. 15-17) a stretch of land that ranks as the fourth-toughest three-hole stretch on Tour since 2007 (among courses played in at least 10 seasons, non-majors).

For additional information on PGA Tour Brunch, CLICK HERE

NBA: Most Popular Jerseys

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NBA STATUS: This week, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association jointly announced that LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers secured the top spots on the NBA’s Most Popular Jersey and Team Merchandise lists. Results are based on NBAStore.com sales for the First Half of the 2020-21 NBA season.

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No big surprises here:

Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys:

1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

2. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks

3. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

6. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets

7. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

8. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

9. James Harden, Brooklyn Nets

10. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

11. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

12. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

13. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers

14. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

15. Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards

Red Sox Trim Roster

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FORT MYERS – (Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox made the following roster moves:

  • Right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck was optioned to the Alternate Training Site.
  • Seven players were reassigned to the minor leagues: catcher Kole Cottam, right-handed pitcher Daniel Gossett, left-handed pitcher Stephen Gonsalves, first baseman Josh Ockimey, first baseman/third baseman Triston Casas, outfielder Jarren Duran, and infielder/outfielder Yairo Muñoz.
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Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

The Red Sox have 35 active players remaining in Major League Spring Training camp, including 29 members of the 40-man roster and six non-roster invitees. In addition, left-handed pitcher Chris Sale and outfielder Franchy Cordero are on the Injured List.

 

Celtics Take a Shot with Bushmills

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BOSTON – Bushmills Irish Whiskey, from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, announced its designation as an official partner of the Boston Celtics, one of America’s original NBA teams. Extending through the 2023 season and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the deal celebrates two champion institutions coming together and marks Bushmills’ first partnership with an NBA team

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As both brands honor a unique, rich history, Bushmills and the Celtics unite to bring Boston fans a taste of two iconic originals. “We’re an organization that places a great value on tradition and authenticity, and found Bushmills to be a seamless fit. We are proud to welcome Bushmills Irish Whiskey as an official partner of the Boston Celtics and we look forward to working together to create unique and memorable experiences for our fans,” said Ted Dalton, Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Business Development of the Boston Celtics.

Bushmills is teaming up with one of the most beloved Celtics in team history, 2008 NBA World Champion Paul Pierce. “As a former player on the Boston Celtics, one of the original NBA teams, I recognize another original when I see one. Bushmills is the original Irish whiskey and to celebrate the partnership, they’re buying the city of Boston a drink made for champions. No better way to cheer our team on,” said Pierce.

 

First Look at Honda Classic

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First Look at The Honda Classic – ☘️

The Honda Classic was once one of the biggest draws for top players readying for The Masters. In the current schedule, it falls between The PLAYERS and the World Golf Championship – Dell Technology Match Play tournaments.

Daniel Berger is the highest-ranked player at No. 15. … Berger skipped the Pro-Am but plans to compete Thursday, according to the Palm Beach Post. Brooks Koepka was scheduled to play until injuring his right knee. The only Koepka in the field is his younger brother, Chase, who received a sponsor exemption.

Five former No. 1 players in the world are competing at the Honda Classic, including: Adam Scott, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Vijay Singh. … Both Ryder Cup captains, Steve Stricker (USA) and Padraig Harrington (Europe), are playing this event on the PGA Tour’s “Florida Swing.”

Westwood – a disappointing second place finisher at The PLAYERS last weekend, following his efforts at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, is the first player to be the runner-up in consecutive weeks since Webb Simpson at the Wyndham Championship and The Northern Trust in August 2019.

For more information on PGA Tour Brunch, CLICK HERE