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McIlroy Ends Drought on PGA Tour

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PGA Tour Brunch’s Wrap-Up of Wells Fargo Championship

CHARLOTTE – Rory McIlroy won his 19th career title and first in more than a year (1 year, 6 months, 6 days) while taking the Wells Fargo Championship for the third time (2010, 2015, 2021).

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Third-round leader Keith Mitchell finished T-3 after holding a 54-hole lead/co-lead for the first time. He closed with a (72) and (-8), two strokes off the lead.

In search of his first-ever PGA Tour title, Abraham Ancer recorded his fourth career runner-up in his 115th start of his career. Ancer shot as (66) in the final round and finished only one back of McIlroy.

After losing the FedExCup points lead to Justin Thomas following last week’s Valspar Championship, Bryson DeChambeau returned to the No. 1 spot in the FedExCup standings with a T-9 finish. DeChambeau thought he had missed the cut on Friday and returned to Dallas before refueling his charter and returning to Dallas for Saturday’s third round.

First-round leader Phil Mickelson followed an opening (64) with rounds of (75-76-76) to finish 69th and has yet to finish inside the Top 10 in 14 starts this season.

PGATourBrunch will be posting at 12:00 Noon (EDT) Wednesday with a look at the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic.

This Week: The AT&T Byron Nelson Classic (McKinney, Texas) – (First Look)

2021 Wells Fargo – Final Leaderboard

Rory McIlroy 72-66-68-68—274 (-10)

Abraham Ancer 69-70-70-66—275 (-9)

Viktor Hovland 69-72-68-67—276 (-8)

Keith Mitchell 67-71-66-72—276 (-8)

Gary Woodland 67-69-70-71—277 (-7)

Final Leaderboard: (link)

Third-round leader Keith Mitchell finished T-3 after holding a 54-hole lead/co-lead for the first time. He closed with a (72) and (-8), two strokes off the lead.

In search of his first-ever PGA Tour title, Abraham Ancer recorded his fourth career runner-up in his 115th start of his career. Ancer shot as (66) in the final round and finished only one back of McIlroy.

After losing the FedExCup points lead to Justin Thomas following last week’s Valspar Championship, Bryson DeChambeau returned to the No. 1 spot in the FedExCup standings with a T-9 finish. DeChambeau thought he had missed the cut on Friday and returned to Dallas before refueling his charter and returning to Dallas for Saturday’s third round.

First-round leader Phil Mickelson followed an opening (64) with rounds of (75-76-76) to finish 69th and has yet to finish inside the Top 10 in 14 starts this season.

PGATourBrunch will be posting at 12:00 Noon (EDT) Wednesday with a look at the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic.

This Week: The AT&T Byron Nelson Classic (McKinney, Texas)

 

2021 Wells Fargo – Final Leaderboard

Rory McIlroy 72-66-68-68—274 (-10)

Abraham Ancer 69-70-70-66—275 (-9)

Viktor Hovland 69-72-68-67—276 (-8)

Keith Mitchell 67-71-66-72—276 (-8)

Gary Woodland 67-69-70-71—277 (-7)

Final Leaderboard: (link)

While We’re Young (Ideas) – Our Sunday Sports Notebook on the IVY League

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By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – The IVY League led the way back in March 2020. Hopefully, the Presidents of the IVY League schools knew something back then and know something once again. Something more than the rest of us because the IVY League is coming back for Fall Football.

“Given the current steady decline of Covid-19 infections in this country, and the broad availability and uptake of vaccinations, we are optimistic that our campuses will be back to something close to normal by this fall, including in-person learning with students in residence,” the Council of presidents said in their statement. “And this includes our expectation for the resumption of regular competitive schedules for Ivy League athletics across all sports beginning in fall 2021.

 

Here in the Greater Boston area, Harvard announced its plans in March to have invite all undergraduates back to campus to live and attend in-person classes for the 2021 fall semester. University President Lawrence S. Bacowalso wrote to affiliates this week that Harvard will require all undergraduates living on campus in the fall to get inoculated against the coronavirus.

While most major football conferences returned to some on-field activity last fall, the schools in the IVY League sat on the sidelines. As time passed, most Division I conferences permitted conference play for the Winter 2020-21 and Spring 2021 seasons. A handful of Ivy League schools permitted teams to hold local scrimmages this spring, but Ivy League teams were unable to compete against one another.

Specifics for various school graduations and other large gatherings are being scrutinized at campuses all across America, and pro sports are gradually increasing the percentage of capacity allowing fans to watch their favorite teams. The Ivy League decision, for some reason or another, forecasts better times ahead.

Here’s hoping Harvard visits Yale for “The Game,” this coming November and a significant crowd assembles at the 64,000+ capacity Yale Bowl. One thing is for sure, whatever the percentage of capacity is allowed to watch the football game inside, there will be an equal or larger number of alum assembled in the parking lots, tailgating away and reminiscing about “Glory Days” of the past.

For the FULL Notebook – sent to your inbox each weekend, sign-up HERE

PGA Tour: Final Round Preview from Wells Fargo

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THIS WEEK on the PGA TOUR: Wells Fargo Championship

COURSE: Quail Hollow Country Club (Charlotte, NC)

FEDEx CUP Points Available/Winner: 2,989/500

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @WellsFargoGolf

OFFICIAL SITE: (Wells Fargo Championship) – (Official Tournament Site)

TV COVERAGE: Today, May 9 – Golf Channel’s TV coverage will air from 1:00pm to 3:00pm (EDT), then CBS takes over coverage from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: PGA Tour Live will offer streaming coverage of Featured Groups today from 8:00am to 3:00pm (EDT) with Featured Holes streaming from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: Streaming Radio coverage today, 1:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. PGA Tour Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92) or online on PGATour.com.

How to Watch: (PGATourCom)

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Wells Fargo Championship Notes:

Keith Mitchell holds a two-stroke lead in search of only his second PGA Tour title and a win today would mark 798 days since his first Tour title at the 2019 Honda Classic.

Mitchell leads the field by in birdies with (18) through 54 holes trailed by Jason Dufner and Harris English (15).

Rory McIlroy is seeking his third win at the Wells Fargo Championship (others were 2010, 2015).

Gary Woodland is back atop the leaderboard and seeks his fifth career PGA Tour victory and first since the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Luke List is seeking his first PGA Tour win in his 188th start as this tournament marks his sixth start at the Wells Fargo Championship. List’s best finish was T-9 (2018).

After opening rounds of (69-67), 36-hole co-leader Matt Wallace fell to T-7 after posting a third-round 2-over (73).

Since 2003, only five players have earned their first PGA Tour win at the Wells Fargo Championship.

After making the cut by one stroke, Bryson DeChambeau (T-23) made a six-stroke improvement in round three with a 3-under 68, capped by a double bogey on the par-4 18th hole. On Friday evening, figuring he had missed the cut, DeChambeau headed back to Dallas but was informed mid-flight that the wind had kicked-up at Quail Hollow and the cut-line was changing. Needing to re-fuel anyways, DeChambeau’s charter landed in Dallas, took on jet fuel and took a few hours break, and returned to Charlotte.

Wells Fargo Championship Leaderboard After 54-Holes

Keith Mitchell 67-71-66 —204 (-9)

Rory McIlroy 72-66-68 —206 (-7)

Gary Woodland 67-69-70—206 (-7)

Luke List 67-72-68 —207 (-6)

Bruins Lose to NY Rangers

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BOSTON – After winning four straight and clinching a spot in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Boston Bruins have now lost two-of-three to drop to 6-3-1 over their last 10 games. The Bruins have two games remaining in the regular season, Monday against the New York Islanders, at home and Tuesday at Washington.

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On Saturday, Mika Zibanejad scored two of New York’s four third-period goals, and the Rangers finished their 2021 season with a 5-4 victory over Boston. The Rangers ended on a high note and broke a five-game losing streak.

For Boston, forward David Pastrnak scored his 200th career goal, Brad Marchand put in his team-leading 28th, and Patrice Bergeron and Nick Ritchie also scored for the Bruins, who had earned at least a point in their previous six games (5-0-1). Bruins goalkeeper Tuukka Rask stopped 18 shots but allowed the four third period goals.

The Rangers ended a tumultuous week as team owner James Dolan unexpectedly fired team president John Davidson and General Manager Jeff Gorton on Wednesday.

 

Sox, E-Rod Get the Best of Baltimore

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BALTIMORE – With the aid of his teammates and retired Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, Boston 1B Bobby Dalbec snapped an 0-for-27 batting slump with a single and a three-run homer, powering the Boston Red Sox to a 6-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.

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Sox starter and team ace Eduardo Rodriguez (5-0) allowed one run on seven hits while striking out two batters over five innings to help the Red Sox improve to a the MLB-best record of 20-13. Boston won the last nine games Rodriguez has started against Baltimore, where he originally signed as a free agent in 2010 before he was traded to the Sox for reliever Andrew Miller.

The Red Sox lead the majors in runs (166), batting average (.267), slugging (.444), on-base+slugging (.776), doubles (72), and extra base hits (113). In their last 5 games, the Sox are batting .311 with an .856 (on-base+slugging) with (7.4 runs per game).

Tonight, Boston’s righty, Garrett Richards,  (1-2, 4.40 ERA) will make his third start against the Orioles this season. In the previous two games, he’s 0-1, allowing eight runs and 10 hits with six strikeouts and five walks over seven innings.

PGA Tour: Three Share Wells Fargo Lead

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THIS WEEK on the PGA TOUR: Wells Fargo Championship

COURSE: Quail Hollow Country Club (Charlotte, NC)

FEDEx CUP Points Available/Winner: 2,989/500

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @WellsFargoGolf

OFFICIAL SITE: (Wells Fargo Championship) – (Official Tournament Site)

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TV COVERAGE: Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9 – Golf Channel’s TV coverage will air from 1:00pm to 3:00pm (EDT), then CBS takes over coverage from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: PGA Tour Live will offer streaming coverage Saturday and Sunday, PGA Live Featured Groups runs from 8:00am to 3:00pm (EDT) with Featured Holes streaming from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: Streaming Radio coverage Saturday and Sunday, 1:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. PGA Tour Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92) or online on PGATour.com.

How to Watch: (PGATourCom)

Wells Fargo Championship Notes:

The three player tie – at six under (136) – after 36-holes ties the record for most players tied for the lead at the Wells Fargo Championship (also 2007).

In his Wells Fargo Championship debut, Matt Wallace is in position for first career PGA Tour title in 41st start of his career.

Gary Woodland (67-69) – (-6) overcame two bogeys with four birdies to post a 2-under 69 in his ninth Wells Fargo Championship start while Patrick Rodgers (68-68) – (-6) offset two bogeys with three birdies and an eagle at the par-5 seventh to post a second consecutive 3-under at Quail Hollow.

After missing the cut in his last two stroke-play events on the Tour, Rory McIlroy (T-5) is inside the Top 10 after 36 holes and only two strokes behind leaders.

First-round leader Phil Mickelson followed eight birdies in round one with just one in round two, an 11-shot swing between rounds (64-75) – (-3) but only three off the lead.

After leading the Tour’s active streak for most consecutive cuts made (22), Jon Rahm missed the cut in for the first time in nearly a year (329 days).

The cutline came in at (+2).

Aside from Rahm, other notables to miss the cut included Gastonia, NC native Harold Varner III, Jason Day, Patrick Cantlay, Will Zalatoris, Ian Poulter, Tony Finau, and Rickie Fowler.

Wells Fargo Leaderboard After 2nd Round

Matt Wallace 69-67—136 (-6)

Gary Woodland 67-69—136 (-6)

Patrick Rodgers 68-68—136 (-6)

Kramer Hickok 68-69—137 (-5)

Full Leaderboard: (link)

Listless Celtics Lose to Bulls

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CHICAGO – Chicago’s combination of Zach LaVine and Coby White each scored 25 points and the Bulls overcame a big effort by Boston’s Kemba Walker and the Bulls soundly defeated the slumping Celtics, 121-99, on Friday night. The game marked the first time this season fans were admitted to Chicago’s United Center, and the Bulls were fueled by their presence. Chicago led by 21 in the third quarter but allowed Boston to draw within eight in the fourth quarter, before putting the game away by scoring 12 straight.

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With the victory, Chicago kept their playoff hopes alive and pulled within three games of Washington and a half-game further away from the Indiana Pacers for the final spots in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

Like their arch-rivals out West in the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston is trying to avoid the play-in tourney, but fell to seventh in the East and trail Miami by a game with the Heat beating Minnesota. The Celtics and Heat meet for an all-important game Sunday in Boston.

Sox Come From Behind to Win Again

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BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox trailed, 7-5 ,entering the bottom of the 6th inning and were behind, 9-8, entering the bottom of the 8th but infielder Christian Arroyo scored the decisive run in the 8th inning on a fielding error by the Detroit 3rd baseman Jeimer Candelario and Boston OF Alex Verdugo singled in two insurance runs to give Boston a 12-9 victory. It marked an MLB best of 13 come-from-behind victories for the Red Sox this season.

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Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed six runs on seven hits in a season-low 4.1 innings pitched. Relieve Matt Andreise was credited with the win while Detroit’s Alex Lange took the loss in a game that can best be described as “sloppy,” as the teams combined for six errors, three wild pitches, two hit batsmen, a passed ball and a balk.

Boston 3B Rafael Devers went 2-for-5, with three RBI, including an RBI single in the 3rd inning and a go-ahead, two-run single with the bases loaded in the 6th inning. Devers stands 14-for-35 (.400) with Runs in Scoring Position this season and leads MLB since the start of 2019 with 63 game-tying or go-ahead RBI. Ten of Devers’ 23 RBI this season have tied the score of given the Red Sox the lead. Devers did make two fielding errors in the game.

After going 10-6 in their last 16 home games, the Red Sox will next visit Baltimore Friday for the first of four games. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-0) will face righty Matt Harvey (3-1).

 

 

 

PGA Tour: PHIL Was PHEELIN’ IT

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THIS WEEK on the PGA TOUR: Wells Fargo Championship

COURSE: Quail Hollow Country Club (Charlotte, NC)

FEDEx CUP Points Available/Winner: 2,989/500

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @WellsFargoGolf

OFFICIAL SITE: (Wells Fargo Championship) – (Official Tournament Site)

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TV COVERAGE: Today: 2:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) on Golf Channel. On Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9 – Golf Channel’s TV coverage will air from 1:00pm to 3:00pm (EDT), then CBS takes over coverage from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: PGA Tour Live will offer streaming coverage of Featured Groups today from 7:00am to 6:00pm (EDT). On Saturday and Sunday, PGA Live Featured Groups runs from 8:00am to 3:00pm (EDT) with Featured Holes streaming from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: Streaming Radio coverage today from 12:00pm Noon to 6:00pm (EDT); then Saturday and Sunday, 1:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. PGA Tour Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92) or online on PGATour.com.

How to Watch: (PGATourCom)

Wells Fargo Championship Notes:

Sooner or later, the players, fans, volunteers, administrators and media that together make up the PGA Tour knew the future Golf Hall-of-Famer Phil Mickelson would post a score. That day came Thursday!

Phil Mickelson today holds the opening-round lead at a PGA Tour event for the first time since the 2019 American Express, a span of 840 days. Mickelson’s 7-under (64) marks his lowest score on Tour since the second round of the 2020 Travelers Championship (63).

Mickelson has not finished inside the Top 20 in his 13 starts this season and his T-21 at the Masters Tournament marked Mickelson’s best finish of 2021.

Phil@50: The 44-time PGA Tour winner has yet to win on the Tour since turning 50 on June 16, 2020.

Keegan Bradley (66), and Peter Malnati (67) recorded bogey-free rounds.

On the Other End of the Spectrum: World No. 3 Jon Rahm posted a 5-over (76), ending his streak of eight consecutive par-or-better rounds dating back to his final-round (73) at THE PLAYERS Championship. Rahm currently leads the Tour for consecutive cuts made (22) and has only one missed cut since June 1, 2019 (2020 Charles Schwab Challenge).

Defending champion Max Homa recorded a 6-over (77), his highest score in 10 rounds at the Wells Fargo Championship and his highest score on Tour since a (78) in the first round of the 2020 U.S. Open.

Quail Hollow resident Webb Simpson was forced to withdraw with a neck strain.

Wells Fargo Championship Leaderboard After First Round

Phil Mickelson 64 (-7)

K.H. Lee 66 (-5)

Keegan Bradley 66 (-5)

Six players at 4-under 67

Tigers Upset Sox in 10 Innings

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BOSTON – Boston starter Martin Perez tossed a season high 5.2 innings for the second time, allowed six hits, three runs, (only two earned, walked two and struck-out six but it was not enough to get the Red Sox a victory as the Detroit Tigers upset the Sox 6-5 at Fenway Park Wednesday night. The series with Detroit is now tied 1-1.

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The Tigers snapped their season-long seven-game losing streak and are now 2-0 in extra-inning games this season and 3-1 in extras since the start of 2020. Detroit 3B Jeimer Candelario went 3-foro-5, including his three-run home run in the 10th off Boston’s highly-touted reliever Garrett Whitlock.

Detroit’s pitcher Casey Mize  threw 6.0 innings, allowed a season-low three hits, but a career-high three walks over a career-high-tying 95 pitches. He held the Red Sox hitless through three frames. Mize allowed his only run to score in the 2nd inning, after starting the inning with two walks. His game-changing efforts came when he worked around a bases-loaded jam in the 6th.

Sox DH J.D. Martinez hit his 10th homer of the season. He is tied with Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. for the major league lead in home runs and leads the majors in RBI (29) and total bases (78), while leading the American League in extra-base hits with 20.

After Boston allowed three runs in the top of the 10th, they rallied for two runs in the home half of the inning but fell short.

Whitlock (0-1) took the loss for Boston.